Follow the Anza Expedition of 1775-1776

California is a place named by the Spanish, who first arrived here in the 1500s. Despite the land already being occupied by numerous indigenous peoples, the distant Spanish Empire laid claim to many parts of North America, including California. The Spanish defeated the Aztec Empire then established Mexico City as the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1535.

With firm control of Mexico, Spain wanted to expand its territory and further enrich the empire. Explorers such as Cabrillo and Portola gathered information about specific locations and resources that might be most valuable to control. Colonization happened in a series of actions that overlapped in time.

1. The Spanish built presidios (forts) to house soldiers who would defend the territory. The first presidios in California were built in San Diego (1769) and Monterey (1770), followed by San Francisco (1776) and Santa Barbara (1782). Each presidio was strategically located to guard an important port as well as a territorial district.
2. The Spanish government also supported the Catholic church to establish missions to engage with local indigenous populations and integrate them into the colonial culture and economy. The missions were built in locations where there were significant local populations, so the expansion of the mission system -- from 1769 through Mexican independence in 1822 -- had a great impact on indigenous peoples.
3. The third action crucial to securing the territory for Spain involved encouraging settlement. Juan Bautista de Anza was a military officer who was granted permission by the Viceroy of New Spain to establish an overland route to Alta California. With help from indigenous guides, Anza identified a route during an expedition in 1774. His next step was to recruit and lead an expedition of settlers. Not many people living in New Spain were interested in migrating to a life of uncertainty in the rugged and uncontrolled environment of the frontier. It would be an epic journey, but who would take such a chance?

Having gathered colonists and soldiers from a variety of locations, the expedition left Tubac Presidio on September 28, 1775. Their final destination was not yet selected, but they were aiming to establish a settlement near San Francisco Bay, which they believed to be the mouth of a river system. This would be the first permanent European settlement in California. Why would this be an especially important location to have a permanent settlement?

• The group included more than 240 colonists, including 30 soldiers, their wives, and more than 100 children.
  • The colonists were an ethnically diverse mix of Native American, European, and African heritage. Afro-Latinos were motivated to escape unfair treatment under the racial caste system enforced in Mexico at the time.
  • Young couples and large families were recruited. Eight women were pregnant at the outset of the journey.
• The expedition also included:
  • Vaqueros, muleteers, servants, and Native American guides who helped the colonists on the journey;
  • Juan Bautista de Anza, the expedition lead;
  • Father Pedro Font, the expedition chaplain; and
  • 1,000 head of livestock, including cattle, horses, and mules.

What would be some reasons for joining (or not joining) the expedition?

More background on expedition members:  María Feliciana Arballo ,  Doña Juana Briones .

See the names and ages of all expedition members  here .

You can learn more about the specific experiences of expedition members through this Junior Rangers Virtual Expedition.

We know about the route the expedition took and the experiences of the members because of the diaries that expedition leaders kept. After leaving Tubac Presidio on October 23, the group would remain on the move for over 8 months before arriving at the site of the new settlement in June 27, 1776. What other historical events were happening at this time?

Using this interactive map created by the National Park Service, you can follow along the route and read entries (in English and Spanish) from three diaries. Juan Bautista de Anza kept records as the leader of the expedition, but chaplain Pedro Font provided a more complete account of the expedition. Father Francisco Garcés also kept a diary, though he only completed part of the journey before leaving the group.

Explore the map or use the slider below it to follow along the journey by date. Note that you can turn on a map layer for Indigenous Territories by clicking on the Legend box. Can you find diary entries that describe the experiences of expedition members encountering physical obstacles, indigenous peoples, or unexpected events?

The map below shows some of the places in which people have created statues, plaques, and informational signs to remember the Anza Expedition. Click on each marker to learn more. Where did the expedition route come closest to your school? Do you know of schools or parks named after Anza and other members of the expedition?

 Teaching the Anza Trail: Five-day Curriculum for Grades 3-4  This curriculum includes five 1-hour lesson plans that can be completed consecutively or separately. Each student role-plays as a member of the 1776 Anza Expedition and experiences the journey through a variety of activities and reflections. The full curriculum is available to download as an accessible PDF. For more guidance, information, or to obtain a copy of the Expedition Member Identification Activity Cards, please email (juba_info (at) nps.gov).

 Alta California Here We Come! One-Day Curriculum for Grades 3-4:  This curriculum covers a 45-60 minute lesson. Using a PowerPoint program and a worksheet map, students experience the 1775-76 Anza Expedition challenges and learn how to trace their route on a map. Developed by Anza Trail Park Rangers Adam Lucas and Dennis Sundman.

Article:  Teaching about the Enduring Legacy of North America's Spanish Colonies: Juan Bautista de Anza  M. Beddow, M. Coughlin, C. Powell, O. Melchior. California Council for the Social Studies Occasional Papers Vol. 5, No. 1, Spring 2017