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A Quick History of California
California's history is unique. It has been shaped, in part, by its geography. California has four main regions. The
temperate coastal region, the Central Valley (once an inland sea), the desert, and the mountain region. The
imposing Sierra Nevada mountains caused California to develop in isolation from the rest of the nation. After
Americans began to settle in California in large numbers during the 1800’s, it would usually be weeks before news
would arrive from the East.
The Name "California" & The Spanish
The name "California" came from a romance book that was published in 1510. It was about an island paradise
where beautiful Queen Califia ruled over a country of beautiful Amazons with lots of pearls and gold. The Spanish
explorer Cortez's men thought they found the island in 1535, because they found pearls. The Spanish were the
first, after the Native Americans, to explore California.
The English
The fight for California began almost 500 years ago with Queen Elizabeth I: England was beginning to realize the
value of California. The Queen sent Sir Francis Drake to raid Spanish ships. England did not want Spain claiming
more land in the new world, thus upsetting the balance of power between the super powers of the time. Tensions
were already high between Spain and England. In order to build new European allies, England had to remain a
power to be reckoned with. Spanish settlement along the west coast of North America could bolster Spanish
power. This was the last thing England wanted.
The Mission Period
200 years after Spain and England first began to fight over California, Spain decided to send priests in significant
numbers in order to start missions. The effect that the missions had on the native population was enormous. Many
traditions were abandoned or forbidden. As attempts to convert the natives were unsuccessful, tensions between
the Indians and the Spanish heightened. Eventually, the missions were used as a means to control the Native
American population and the Indians were kept in virtual slavery at some of the missions.
Despite the negative effect that the missions eventually had on the Indians, they did learn to excel at Western
crafts. They were taught European painting and music, among other things. Since the Indians were already
excellent craftspeople, they learned these new skills quickly. The mission period lasted only about 60 years. The
earthquake of 1812 destroyed many of the missions in Southern California. The missions have since been
reclaimed and rebuilt and have become important historical sites.
Early American Settlers
By the mid nineteenth century, California had come from obscurity to statehood because of the Gold Rush which
started in earnest in 1849. Even though California was now part of the United States, coming to California was no
small feat. If settlers on wagon trains made it over the Rockies safely, they were often stopped by the hostile Sierra
Nevadas. Winter comes early and savagely and many settlers lost their lives.
The most common method of travel for those that could afford the passage was by ship. Settlers would leave the
East Coast and have to travel South all the way around the tip of South America. Since it is so close to the South
Pole at that point, ships would have to skirt ice bergs. The only short cut was through the Straits of Magellan near
the tip of the South American continent. This was often perilous since the straights were rocky and often stormy.
The only other way to get to California was to get off the ship in Panama, cross the isthmus by land, and pick up a
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ship on the West coast of Panama that was headed North. Many travelers died of disease crossing the tropical
isthmus.
The Gold Rush
Suddenly, after gold was discovered in California in 1848, people from all over the world looking to strike it rich
flooded into California. The Gold Rush was devastating to the Native Americans in the area and depleted many
natural resources. What is now San Francisco was once a redwood forest. Whole native tribes were scattered or
destroyed. It was the discovery of gold that hastened California's statehood. On September 9, 1850, President
Fillmore officially made California the thirty-first state.
Agriculture
The rich Central Valley of California eventually became known as the “breadbasket of the world.” California's mild
climate allowed for year-round farming and fruits and vegetables could be grown in California that would grow in
very few other places. Eventually, the transcontinental railroads carried California produce to the East. California's
exotic produce was in great demand in the East. Agriculture was responsible for generating great wealth in the
state. Agriculture is still a major industry today.
California Quick Facts
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California is the 3rd largest state in area and the largest state in population.
California has the largest population of Native Americans, more than any other state.
Prior to the Gold Rush, California had more Native Americans than all the other states combined. Once
the Gold Rush years occurred, many different kinds of people migrated to the West Coast.
California has one of the largest Chinese communities outside Asia in the entire world (San Francisco).
The Los Angeles area has more people of Mexican ancestry than any other urban area in the world,
outside of Mexico.
California has the largest Armenian population outside Armenia (Glendale).
California is the largest producer of goods of all the states and the largest agricultural state in the Union.
The California redwood is a prehistoric tree. All trees are descended from the redwood. The coastal
climate protected them from the great ice sheets during previous ice ages.
California State…
State Bird: California Valley Quail
State Capital: Sacramento
State Colors: Blue ((for the sky) and gold (for the
gold found).
State Fife and Drum Band: California Consolidated
Drum Band
State Fish: Golden Trout
State Flag
State Flower: Golden Poppy
State Folk Dance: Square Dancing
State Fossil: Saber-Toothed CatState Gem: Benitoite
State Ghost Town: Bodie
State Ghost Town (silver rush): Calico
State Grass: Purple Needlegrass
State Insect: Dog Face Butterfly
State Mammal: California Grizzly
State Marine Fish: Garibaldi
State Marine Mammal: California Gray Whale
State Mineral: Gold
State Motto: "Eureka" (I have found it!)
State Nickname: "The Golden State" (named after
the discovery of gold)