Overview
Before there was a Los Angeles or a San Francisco, there was Spain’s first colony in upper California, El Presidio de San Diego.
Founded in 1769, this small fortress and mission was the seedling for the twenty-one missions and four presidios that followed. It was here that Franciscan priest Junípero Serra planted the first Catholic cross in what became Alta California. The nearby harbor provided a safe port for sailing ships from all over the world, ensuring a steady stream of goods and supplies. Over its many decades, the San Diego Presidio was home to Spaniards, Mexicans, Native people, and, towards the end, Anglo-Americans. Its cemetery became the final resting place for many of them.
Author and historian Richard Carrico provides insights into San Diego’s beginnings.
This book title, El Presidio de San Diego (Excavating Southern California's Lost City), ISBN: 9781467159616, by Richard Carrico, published by Arcadia Publishing (October 21, 2025) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
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