Highlight: Diary of Pedro Font, Anza Expedition 1775-1776

Father Pedro Font journaled the infamous "Anza Expedition". Juan Bautista Anza (alternately spelled Juan Bautista de Anza) a captain of the Presidio of Tubac in Sonora (present day southern Arizona) led the overland expedition from the Sonoran desert to Northern California (colloquially called the "Anza Trail"). Anza was accompanied by several Padres (Fathers) including Father Pedro Font, servants, a group of military men and cattle.

Father Pedro Font's writings which documented the journey were translated and compiled and edited into a book by Frederich J. Teggart, Academy of Pacific Coast History, in 1913. This book contains the Spanish text and English translation. The book has been digitized by the Library of Congress.

Peer into the Anza Expedition via Father Pedro Font's diary,
http://openlibrary.org/books/OL23278305M/The_Anza_expedition_of_1775-1776


Image source: Library of Congress

Anza Trail & Settlement of San Francisco

Juan Bautiste de Anza, Anza trail expedition and the settlement of San Francisco, California. video courtesy of KQED

Anza Trail Expedition

An informative video by the National Park Service about Juan Bautiste de Anza and the Anza trail expedition.