California Frontier

In Part 2 of this conversation, Damian Bacich talks with wine historian Kevin Ferguson, descendant of the Gemello Winery family, about the dramatic rise of California wine, the legendary 1976 Judgment of Paris, and the...

In the first part of my conversation with author Kevin Ferguson , we explore the rich history of California wine, tracing its roots from Italian immigrants through the challenges of Prohibition to the pivotal Judgment...

In part 2 of our interview, we explore the transformative period of US occupation and the subsequent transition to statehood, focusing on the California Constitution drafted in 1849 and ratified in 1850. Dr. Jones...

Historian Cameron Jones joins Damian Bacich for a fascinating conversation about the overlooked African presence in early California. Drawing on mission records, census data, and genealogical research, Jones explores...

In the second half of this interview with Edie Littlefield Sundby ( The Mission Walker ), she explains why she extended the California Mission Trail beyond San Diego and retraced the original mission route from Loreto...

Today's guest is Edie Littlefield Sundby , author of the memoir The Mission Walker , about becoming the first person to walk the full Camino Real of both Californias while living with stage four cancer. In Part 1, Edie...

In 1769, Spain feared it was about to lose the Pacific coast. Russian traders were moving south from Alaska, British naval power was rising, and Spain had no permanent settlements north of Baja California. In response...

In part two of this interview, Damian Bacich continues his conversation with David Kier, who shares stories from his travels to the Baja California missions and explains some of the legends people tell about “lost...

In this episode, host Damian Bacich talks with David Kier about his lifelong interest in Baja California and its missions. Kier explains how family trips he took as a child sparked a passion that later led him to make...

Today, I'm honored to speak with Craig S. Harwood, author of Bridget's Gambit , a captivating saga of family enterprise during the California Gold Rush. This really interesting book, coming out soon, tells a fascinating...

In Part 2 of my interview with archaeologist Richard Carrico , our conversation delves into the significant archaeological findings at the Presidio, revealing insights into its history, architecture, and the lives of...

In this conversation, I interview archaeologist Richard Carrico , an expert on the Presidio of San Diego, discussing its historical significance, the need for accessible literature on the subject, and the cultural...

In this episode, we delve into the second half of an interview with Tom Prezelski, author of Californio Lancers: The First Battalion of Native Cavalry in the Far West. The discussion covers the period post-Civil War...

In this episode, I talk with author Tom Prezelski about his book The Californio Lancers: The 1st Battalion of Native Cavalry in the Far West, 1863–1866 . Together, we explore the fascinating and often overlooked history...

Join us as we conclude our interview with ethnohistorian April Farnham, delving into the lives and contributions of mixed Spanish and indigenous families in Northern California during the late 18th and 19th centuries...