Antonio Coronel’s Gold Rush Tales in Mexican California

In the final installment of 'The Tales of Mexican California,' we follow Antonio Coronel's vivid recount of his time in the Northern California gold fields post-1848. 

Coronel, who initially settled in Los Angeles after arriving from Mexico in 1834, shares graphic and poignant stories from the Gold Rush era. 

These include violent episodes, massacres of Native people, and the lawlessness that prevailed among fortune seekers. 

Coronel details his own experiences with gold mining, the lucrative yet perilous nature of the business, and the eventual abandonment of his efforts due to lawlessness and threats of violence. 

His firsthand accounts provide a unique perspective on the cultural and societal shifts during the transition of California from Mexican to American rule.

00:00 Introduction to Antonio Coronel's Gold Rush Adventures
02:12 The Gold Rush Begins: Challenges and Opportunities
04:36 Life in the Gold Fields: Wealth and Lawlessness
08:09 A Violent Encounter in Sonoma
12:50 Return to the Gold Fields and New Ventures
18:42 Conflict and Prejudice in the Gold Fields
29:46 Final Reflections and Departure from the Gold Fields

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In the second part of my interview with Michael Hardwick, we hear about Hippolyte Bouchard, a pirate who raided California's coast, and learn about the history of the Spanish and Mexican presidios.

This episode explores sea battles, invasions, and the armaments used during California's conquest and defense.

Historian Michael R. Hardwick shares insights into powder supplies, Spanish cannons, and colonial history from 1769 to the Mexican War. 

In an interesting twist, Michael introduces also us to Spanish horticultural practices at the California missions.

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In this episode, I delve into the often overlooked history of the Spanish Presidios in California with expert Michael Hardwick, author of Spanish Arms and Armaments of the Presidios in California. 

Michael shares his extensive research on Spanish military fortifications during the colonial period. We discuss the arms, armaments, and strategies of these garrisons, their role in supporting the missions, and their adaptation to coastal defenses. 

Michael also shares personal anecdotes from his years of archaeological work at Presidio sites and his exploration of historical records, providing a fascinating glimpse into California's early military history.

00:00 Introduction to Spanish Presence in California
00:36 Meet Michael Hardwick: Expert on Presidios
03:17 Michael's Background and Work on the Presidio Project
04:22 The Historical Significance of Presidios
07:55 Uncovering the Foundations and Artifacts
16:08 The Evolution and Role of Presidios
22:06 The Armament and Defense Strategies
31:14 The Legacy of Spanish Artillery
40:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Purchase Spanish Arms and Armaments of the Presidios in California
or email Michael: [email protected]
Michael's Book on Mission La Purísima

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Join me for another excerpt from Antonio Franco Coronel's memoirs, Tales of Mexican California. 

In this episode, we hear about the events of 1846, when the US military began its invasion and occupation of California. Coronel recounts Marine Captain Gillespie's heavy-handed rule in Los Angeles, local reactions to U.S. occupation, and the events leading to the (likely avoidable) revolt of the Pueblo of Los Angeles' residents against Gillespie and the U.S. occupiers. 

Antonio Coronel's account provides rich, firsthand insights into California's complex history during the Mexican-American War.

00:00 Introduction to Antonio Franco Cordone's Memoirs
01:10 Context of the Mexican-American War
03:41 Captain Gillespie's Oppressive Rule
07:50 The Revolt Against Gillespie
15:35 The Siege and Surrender of Gillespie
26:13 Conclusion and Reflections

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Tales of Mexican California: Antonio Coronel's Memoirs - Part 2

To hear Part 1, go to Episode 065.

In this episode of the California Frontier Podcast, Damian Bacich continues exploring the memoirs of Antonio Franco Coronel. Coronel's account provides a riveting look into his experiences as a Superior Court Judge in Mexican California during the 1840s, a time marked by political instability and frequent criminal conduct by soldiers. 

The memoir sheds light on key historical moments, including the failed colonization efforts, the uprising against Governor Manuel Micheltorena, and the early signs of American annexation. Coronel's detailed recounting of robberies and kidnappings from New Mexico and his interactions with notable figures like Pio Pico, Jose Castro, and John Sutter offer valuable insights into a tumultuous period in California history.

00:00 Introduction to Antonio Franco Coronel's Memoirs

00:21 Arrival and Early Challenges in Alta California

01:36 Political Instability and New Governance

03:34 The Crimes of the Permanent California Battalion 

05:25 The Great Robbery at Don Vicente Sanchez's House

12:13 Banditry and Contraband on the Old Spanish Trail

13:18 The Case of the Stolen Turkeys

20:52 Rebellion Against Governor Micheltorena

25:17 Failed Negotiations and Micheltorena's Dilemma

30:16 Conclusion and Reflections on Coronel's Memoirs

Purchase a copy of Tales of Mexican California. 

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In the second half of my interview with Father Paul Mark Swan, Abbot of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, we find out about the journey of a medieval Spanish monastery, brought to San Francisco by William Randolph Hearst, and later reassembled in Vina, California. Fr. Paul describes the meticulous process of restoring the Romanesque-Gothic church, as well as the architectural experts and stonemasons who made it possible. We also hear about the monastery's successful venture into the California wine industry and how you can visit and appreciate this unique California location. 

00:00 Introduction and Recap
01:25 The Journey of the Stones
03:20 Restoration Efforts and Challenges
09:35 Rebuilding the Church
23:09 The Winery and Self-Support
28:40 Visiting the Monastery
32:40 Conclusion and Support

The Abbey of New Clairvaux's Website

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Part 1 of this interview explores the rich history of the Abbey of New Clairvaux, a Roman Catholic monastery in Vina, California. The abbey is rooted in the Benedictine tradition, a monastic lifestyle that began over 1,500 years ago. Abbot Fr. Paul Mark Schwan shares how through the monastery, medieval European monasticism intersected with U.S. westward expansion, touching upon historical figures like William Randolph Hearst and Leland Stanford, and the early years of the California wine industry. We learn about the abbey's foundation in 1955 by monks from Gethsemane Abbey in Kentucky, as well as the extensive history of the Vina location itself, which was once home to Native American tribes and later became an important site for prominent historical figures in California. The discussion also delves into the medieval stone church purchased by William Randolph Hearst, and its journey to California from Spain. Tune in to discover how these stones connect with present-day Golden Gate Park and their ultimate fate.

00:00 Introduction to the Abbey of New Clairvaux
00:31 Meeting the Monks and Learning the History
01:23 The Monastic Life and Its Origins
06:25 Founding of New Clairvaux
08:12 The Location and Its Historical Significance
10:18 The Property's Previous Owners
16:16 Leland Stanford's Vision and Challenges
26:20 William Randolph Hearst and the Ovila Monastery
33:31 Conclusion and Segue to Part 2

The Abbey of New Clairvaux's Website

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In Part 2 of my conversation with author James Tejani, we delve into the Civil War's role in shaping California's economic and political landscape. The discussion highlights the transformation of California from the Gold Rush period to an industrial powerhouse in the late 19th century, emphasizing the importance of the transcontinental railroad. James explores the divisive debates in Congress about where the railroad would be placed, spotlighting California's critical position. We also cover California's strategic importance during the Civil War, the role of the LDS Church, Native American interactions, and the parallel between U.S. imperial ambitions and the earlier Spanish Empire's transpacific project. 

00:00 Introduction: The Civil War's Impact on California
00:38 Railroads and the Civil War
01:26 California's Role in the Civil War
02:14 The Pacific Railroad Controversy
05:40 San Pedro Bay and the Civil War
06:50 The Civil War's Broader Implications
15:15 Native Americans, Mormons, and the Civil War
22:16 California's Transformation Post-Civil War
31:26 Reflections on California's History
34:35 Conclusion and Future Projects

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In Part 1, we sit down with author James Tejani to discuss his book, A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America. The conversation delves into the historical context of the Gold Rush, demographic shifts in California, and the significant roles played by individuals like Edward Ord and Manuel Dominguez. We also explore the impact of federal scientific initiatives, the Coast Survey, and political patronage systems on the development of the port. Tejani ties these elements to broader themes like U.S. imperial expansion and the interface between science and politics.

00:36 Introduction and Guest Welcome
01:06 Author's Background and Early Influences
04:15 The Significance of the Port of Los Angeles
08:30 Key Figures in the Port's History
09:26 The Ord-Dominguez Relationship
20:28 Political and Economic Context
26:03 Science and Politics Intersect
32:54 Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

Get the book: A Machine to Move Ocean and Earth: The Making of the Port of Los Angeles and America

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A quick message of thanks at the end of 2024 from the California Frontier Project.

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