CALIFORNIA

Hokitika Guardian, 27 November 1930, Page 3

CALIFORNIA

AN INTERESTING HISTORY. The history of California is linked so inseparably with that of so many nations and its selection as a place to celebrate the Games and Xtli Olympiad, seems' fitting and proper. In all, six flags have flown over California, starting with that of Spain which laid claim to the Western Americas following their discovery by Columbus in 1492. The flag by the mighty Spanish Empire continued to fly over California until 1821, when Mexico declared her independence from the mother country and flew its own flag over the state. Tn 1579 Sir 'Francis Drake planted fhe British'flag'at a point near where San Francisco now stands, and naming California “New Albion,” claimed the land for his queen. The flag of Russja flew for a brief period in 1812, over the few scattered fishing villages which that country established on the California coast.

During the short but turbulent period prior to 1846, the Bear Flag, or that of the “California Republic,” was exhibited throughout, the state until its admission to the United States. However, California’s history . is mostly Tooted in that ,of the Spanish Empire whose intrepid explorers pushed their tiny galleons northward along the western shores of Mexico and America, on voyages as perilous as any wliicli history records.

Following his conquest, of Mexico in 1519, Cortex sent, bock to the King of Spain,, glowing .accounts of California, which he described as a great island, fabulously, wealthy and peopled, entirely by. women whose queen was named “Califia.” This is considered by most historians as the origin ot the name “California.” Determined to explore California, Cortex sent out an expedition under Fortuno Ximenes, which reached only Lower California. Another, under Ulloa, reached the bead of the Gulf of Lower California.

.Mendoza, viceroy of Mexico following tlie- retium pf Cortex of Spain, sent Alarcon in ; charge of aii expedition, which, sailed--'some distance up: .' the Colorado River.: It. remained for Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo, “'the Columbus of. California,” to be the first European to set . foot on what is now California soil, and to carry on the first -’xplorations along its lengthy coast. Landing .first iat avliat is now San Diego j.. and .Mater bat a point where San Pedro/Los Angeles harbor) is now oeated, lie climbed the towering dills and . gazedv.across the valley to the present site 5 of Los- Angeles. But two •enturies epnssed before a white man visited themspot where the city of Los Aiigoles now stands.'

Onbrillo:*’in exploring the coast Still further northward; reached what is now' San 'Francisco, although he did -not seiiter that -magnificent bay. By. T'onio ‘'strange fate, Sir Francis Drake, 'snibng bb hg tip. fcoa-t of California in ! 579, e'rCr’dlite back to England via a westerly course likewise _. San Ffaneisco Bay and anchored instead in a small harbour to the north, which now- bears his name. It • remained for a small detachment of soldiers, seeking. Monterey bay some 200 years later, to discover that great odv .o ( f. water. • Cabrillo’s death envoyage, brought it untimely end. to. his explorations vhicli were carried on to certain extent' by • his chief lieutenant, Ferrelo, and later by Sebasian Viscaino. who recommended the early settlement and development of California and asked permission of the king to undertake the work. Hi.s death, however, prevented his carrying out of the plan, permission For which was granted in 1600. During the next 160 years, no more white men tapne, to California .

However, promoted, by tlie activities of England and Russia along the California Coast, King Carlos II of Spain, laid plans for the .colonisation of the territory., . He ordered Marquez de Croix, then viceroy of .Mexico, and Jo,sc de Galvez,. vpijtac!or general, to undertake the eplon isation of Alta,, or Uppcj’, Californio" , With j>oh Caspar ,Portoia representing the military, ..and Fra Junipero Sorm, a Franciscan padre representing the church, two expeditions—one by land end oho 1)v sea—set forth in 1769 from La Pa a in Western Mexico. Thev met at San Diego, and after many hardships, succeeded iii establishing, tlie first of'a, chain of missions which ultimately extended from San Dieco to San Francifceo, one day’s journey afoot, apart,; Most of these missions ore (still standing to-day, and the lKithwny which blio,- faithful padres 'rod between them is now a b road hi"hwav called “El Camino Real” (The King’s Highways L • It was Don Gesosir Portoia who, in marching northward to Monterey from San Diego, fiM : set foot on iyha.t is how Los Angeles. Then it Was blit a nicturesque valley through which ran a stream lie named Ri(V Pore tuula after a river in Jta|v ; ()n its banks they found an Tnclvm village called Yang-na. When Spain decided to vstalblish in California, to types of colonies—presidios or niilitary Posts, and pueblos or civil communities—holi'o do Neve, governor of both Lower and Upper Californias. selected the present, site of Los 'Angeles for a pueblo, and in 1781, founded by royal decree the Pity where the Games of the Nth Olympiad are to he celebrated.

Tlie missions continued to flourish, tlie pueblos grew, and small Communities sprang up about the . prrbdios. Gradually the pioneers from the Atlantic Coast pushed their way across tlm continent, filtered tlmm-m the passes' bf"the Rocky Mountains and

spread put along the Pacific coant. , ~.u i i'.iiiciK.o ii.’came a busy city. The famous ,gold rush of. 1849, .brought to it population • from all oyer the .vorid. i hoy came in wagons across die continent and in ships around Cape Horn. The early Spaniards had mined gold first in Southern California many years .bolqre., b ; ut it was the discovery of tho precious- niptainear Sacraii.eiito that- fired the. imagination of the world nearly a century ago. «> . ... . s

■To-day,. California is a. great cm-. uiro within itself, -with -many, flourish ing cities, principal... of which is I.ns Angeles. The year 1.032 will he the BOOth anniversary of Gahrillo’s landing. Were ho to climb again the towering oil iff,s overlooking I.os Angeles (Harbour and look northward toward the neighbouring mountains, the £i r ra Madres, Ire could view, at a single glance.,/ all the facilities for the. celebration of the coming Olympic Games.