The Land Known as Alta California

The Conquered Province

Gold Discovered in California

They Came by Way of Panama

They Came Around the Horn

They Came Overland by Train

The Story Ends Where it Began:
Along El Camino Real

The Land Known as Alta California is more than a story about the missions. It is about a group of soldiers who had served in the army as guards at the missions, the presidios, or on the King's Highway, El Camino Real. These soldiers preferred to stay and live out their lives on the land they had grown to love. They were awarded great ranchos and let their cattle out to graze, offspring of those brought to California by the Padres.

It is about settlers who were willing to follow Juan Bautista de Anza and Governor Felipe de Neve to establish the first two settlements ordained by the King of Spain. (These settlements were San Jose and Los Angeles in California.) These settlers were of Negro, Spanish, Mulatto and Mestizo blood. They were promised all the tools they would need. They were told of the wonderful climate they would enjoy and of the land that would be theirs, surrounded by an abundance of water.

It is about the traders and trappers who came to California from the United States. Many returned to the States urging others to follow them. This prompted the Secretary of State, Buchanan to write to Consul Thomas O'Larkin in Monterey, stating the time was right to work toward annexation of California to the United States.

This book is based on the works of Bancroft and the diary of Father Font of the Juan Bautista Party. Click on the book to order.

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ISBN 0-87062-275-7