Robin Paul Memorial Mural
Vignettes
|
QUICK LINKS Agriculture in Orange County Flags over California Native Californians Nixon, Richard Milhous Portola Expedition & Gaspar de Portola Serra, Fr. Junipero & Missions Spanish/Mexican Heritage in Southern Calif. U.S. Heritage in Orange Co. & Southern Calif. Yorba, Bernardo Yorba, Jose Antonio |
The Robin Paul Memorial Mural depicts the progression of the history of Orange County throughout more than two centuries. Artist Allan B. Hall uses the City of Yorba Linda to illustrate the true diversified cultures that have embraced this area of Southern California.
The mural is a series of vignettes. Events illustrated include the Gaspar de Portola Expedition of 1769, the first recorded European exploration of the interior of present day California. In 1810 Jose Antonio Yorba, a member of that expedition, received a land grant comprising much of present day Orange County from the Spanish Crown in recognition of his contributions. His son, cattle rancher Bernardo Yorba (after whom Yorba Linda is named), Missionary Father Junipero Serra (the founder of three Missions in the county), and the oil, citrus and avocado industries are also represented. The White House appears as an acknowledgment to Richard Nixon, who was born in Yorba Linda and was Vice President when the mural was created in 1959. Children of indigenous people, Mexico, and modern-day U.S. heritage stand before a sapling tree. The flags of Mexico, California, and the United States show the entities that have governed the county. In a 1979 book about Yorba Linda, author March Butz describes some of the symbolism in the mural: "Running through the scene horizontally in the mural is an irregular blue area, representing the Santa Ana River, for many years the source of Yorba Linda's water supply. A young tree with a single leaf makes a vertical line to right of center, representing the youth and potential growth of the town." (Yorba Linda: Its History, by March D. Butz, 1979) This mural offers a visual opportunity to learn and appreciate the heritage of Orange County and Southern California. It is imperative that the mural be preserved. |
Spanish/Mexican Heritage in Southern California
The cultural influence of Spain and Mexico began in earnest in 1769 with the Portola Expedition that explored present-day California. From that time to the present, Hispanic Californians have always been one of the largest cultural groups in the state, and Spanish is a common second language.
By the 19th century Spain had built missions and granted large tracts of land, called ranchos, to encourage settlement of the area they named Alta California. The ranchos established permanent land-use patterns and boundaries that became the basis for California's land survey system. Many communities still retain their Spanish rancho name, such as Santa Ana or Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County. It is very common for streets to have Spanish names, such as Via del Rio or Calle San Luis Potosi.
California's many immigrants brought their culinary traditions with them, including Spain and Mexico. Mexican restaurants are commonplace in Orange County. Avocados play a special role in California cuisine as they are incorporated in or accompany many Mexican foods. The preparation of tamales made for special occasions and holidays is a continuing tradition.
A popular holiday celebrated with gusto in Southern California is Cinco de Mayo, held on May 5th to commemorate Mexico's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on My 5, 1862. Parades, food, mariachi music, folkloric dancing and battle reenactments are typically part of the celebrations.
The cultural influence of Spain and Mexico began in earnest in 1769 with the Portola Expedition that explored present-day California. From that time to the present, Hispanic Californians have always been one of the largest cultural groups in the state, and Spanish is a common second language.
By the 19th century Spain had built missions and granted large tracts of land, called ranchos, to encourage settlement of the area they named Alta California. The ranchos established permanent land-use patterns and boundaries that became the basis for California's land survey system. Many communities still retain their Spanish rancho name, such as Santa Ana or Rancho Santa Margarita in Orange County. It is very common for streets to have Spanish names, such as Via del Rio or Calle San Luis Potosi.
California's many immigrants brought their culinary traditions with them, including Spain and Mexico. Mexican restaurants are commonplace in Orange County. Avocados play a special role in California cuisine as they are incorporated in or accompany many Mexican foods. The preparation of tamales made for special occasions and holidays is a continuing tradition.
A popular holiday celebrated with gusto in Southern California is Cinco de Mayo, held on May 5th to commemorate Mexico's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on My 5, 1862. Parades, food, mariachi music, folkloric dancing and battle reenactments are typically part of the celebrations.
U.S. Heritage in Orange County and Southern California Vignette
Orange County is the sixth most populated county in the United States and the third most populated in California. The County attracts millions of tourists every year to venues such as Disneyland (Anaheim), Mission San Juan Capistrano (Capistrano), and the Bowers Museum (Santa Ana). The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace (Yorba Linda) and the Modjeska House (Silverado) are on the list of National and California Historic Landmarks.
The National List of Historic Places names 134 properties in the county, including George Key Ranch (Placentia), the Pacific Electric Railway Company Depot (Yorba Linda), the Jose Serrano Adobe (Lake Forest), Leo Fender's Shop (Fullerton), and the Anaheim Orange and Lemon Packing House (Anaheim).
The warm climate and 42 miles of beaches bring tourists to the county year-round. Huntington Beach, nicknamed "Surf City, USA" is home to many surfing competitions, and "The Wedge" in Newport Beach is one of the most famous places for body surfing in the world. Little Saigon is home to the largest gathering of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. The headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries dot the landscape throughout the county, such as Pacific Life, Edwards Lifesciences, Western Digital, First American Financial, and Alignment Healthcare.
Orange County is the sixth most populated county in the United States and the third most populated in California. The County attracts millions of tourists every year to venues such as Disneyland (Anaheim), Mission San Juan Capistrano (Capistrano), and the Bowers Museum (Santa Ana). The Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace (Yorba Linda) and the Modjeska House (Silverado) are on the list of National and California Historic Landmarks.
The National List of Historic Places names 134 properties in the county, including George Key Ranch (Placentia), the Pacific Electric Railway Company Depot (Yorba Linda), the Jose Serrano Adobe (Lake Forest), Leo Fender's Shop (Fullerton), and the Anaheim Orange and Lemon Packing House (Anaheim).
The warm climate and 42 miles of beaches bring tourists to the county year-round. Huntington Beach, nicknamed "Surf City, USA" is home to many surfing competitions, and "The Wedge" in Newport Beach is one of the most famous places for body surfing in the world. Little Saigon is home to the largest gathering of Vietnamese people outside of Vietnam. The headquarters of many Fortune 500 companies in a variety of industries dot the landscape throughout the county, such as Pacific Life, Edwards Lifesciences, Western Digital, First American Financial, and Alignment Healthcare.
Agriculture in Orange County Vignette
An influx of American settlers occurred after California was added to the United States in 1848. Orange County's large Mexican ranchos gave way to smaller properties and irrigated agriculture began on a large scale using water from the Santa Ana River to irrigate the crops.
The cultivation of citrus became the largest economy of the lower Santa Ana River basin after the Gold Rush. Through the late 19th century citrus fields covered much of the area and led to the naming of Orange County. Many early residents planted citrus groves and numerous packing houses were built to accommodate the oranges and lemons they produced. At one time, Valencia oranges grown in Orange County made more profit than in any other orange growing location worldwide.
Viticulture also became an important crop in the county. German settlers established Anaheim in 1857 and purchased over 1,100 acres on which they planted vast vineyards. By 1875 there were upwards of 50 wineries in Anaheim producing over one million gallons annually.
The Hass avocado is another Southern California crop that has become a massive economic driver for the region. First grown and sold by amateur horticulturist Rudolph Hass in 1926, it is the most commercially popular avocado worldwide and accounts for 95% of the California crop and 80% of all avocados grown worldwide.
An influx of American settlers occurred after California was added to the United States in 1848. Orange County's large Mexican ranchos gave way to smaller properties and irrigated agriculture began on a large scale using water from the Santa Ana River to irrigate the crops.
The cultivation of citrus became the largest economy of the lower Santa Ana River basin after the Gold Rush. Through the late 19th century citrus fields covered much of the area and led to the naming of Orange County. Many early residents planted citrus groves and numerous packing houses were built to accommodate the oranges and lemons they produced. At one time, Valencia oranges grown in Orange County made more profit than in any other orange growing location worldwide.
Viticulture also became an important crop in the county. German settlers established Anaheim in 1857 and purchased over 1,100 acres on which they planted vast vineyards. By 1875 there were upwards of 50 wineries in Anaheim producing over one million gallons annually.
The Hass avocado is another Southern California crop that has become a massive economic driver for the region. First grown and sold by amateur horticulturist Rudolph Hass in 1926, it is the most commercially popular avocado worldwide and accounts for 95% of the California crop and 80% of all avocados grown worldwide.
Flags Over California Vignette
The symbolism of the flags in the mural depicts three entities that have governed Orange County and Southern California from 1821 to the present - Mexico, the United States, and the State of California. The area known as Alta California came under Mexican control after Mexico became independent from Spain in 1821.
Over the next twenty years, many American pioneers moved into Alta California. In 1846 they revolted against the Mexican Government and sought to establish the California Republic. The Bear Flag Revolt was short lived, but it did lead to the U.S. invasion of Alta California and the Mexican-American War which ended in February 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Once the territory became part of the United States, the citizens quickly determined to become part of the American republic and held a state constitutional convention in 1849 in Monterey, California was admitted to the union on 9 September 1850 and adopted the Bear Flag as the state ensign.
The symbolism of the flags in the mural depicts three entities that have governed Orange County and Southern California from 1821 to the present - Mexico, the United States, and the State of California. The area known as Alta California came under Mexican control after Mexico became independent from Spain in 1821.
Over the next twenty years, many American pioneers moved into Alta California. In 1846 they revolted against the Mexican Government and sought to establish the California Republic. The Bear Flag Revolt was short lived, but it did lead to the U.S. invasion of Alta California and the Mexican-American War which ended in February 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
Once the territory became part of the United States, the citizens quickly determined to become part of the American republic and held a state constitutional convention in 1849 in Monterey, California was admitted to the union on 9 September 1850 and adopted the Bear Flag as the state ensign.
Bernardo Yorba Vignette
Bernardo Yorba was born in San Diego in 1800, the twelfth child of Don Jose Antonio Yorba, a member of the Portola Expedition. When he was ten years old he moved with his family to a rancho near present-day Olive in Orange County where he grew to manhood. He was married three times and fathered fifteen children.
Bernardo Yorba was granted two large tracts of land in Orange County: Rancho Canon de Santa Ana and Rancho La Sierra. These grants made him one of California's largest landowners and most successful ranchers, with thousands of cattle and horses grazing on land totaling more than 35,000 acres. He introduced irrigation agriculture into California, and built a 50 room adobe home called Bernardo Yorba Hacienda from which he managed his vast holdings.
Yorba served as the Mayor of Santa Ana, and the City of Yorba Linda is named after him. He donated land for a church and left land for a cemetery in his will, but it was not yet ready for burial when he died in 1858. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles until 1923 when he and nine family members were moved to the historic Yorba Cemetery in Yorba Linda. Some of his descendants still live in Yorba Linda and surrounding Orange County and are active in historical societies where they share their knowledge about this famous Southern California family.
Bernardo Yorba was born in San Diego in 1800, the twelfth child of Don Jose Antonio Yorba, a member of the Portola Expedition. When he was ten years old he moved with his family to a rancho near present-day Olive in Orange County where he grew to manhood. He was married three times and fathered fifteen children.
Bernardo Yorba was granted two large tracts of land in Orange County: Rancho Canon de Santa Ana and Rancho La Sierra. These grants made him one of California's largest landowners and most successful ranchers, with thousands of cattle and horses grazing on land totaling more than 35,000 acres. He introduced irrigation agriculture into California, and built a 50 room adobe home called Bernardo Yorba Hacienda from which he managed his vast holdings.
Yorba served as the Mayor of Santa Ana, and the City of Yorba Linda is named after him. He donated land for a church and left land for a cemetery in his will, but it was not yet ready for burial when he died in 1858. He was buried at Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles until 1923 when he and nine family members were moved to the historic Yorba Cemetery in Yorba Linda. Some of his descendants still live in Yorba Linda and surrounding Orange County and are active in historical societies where they share their knowledge about this famous Southern California family.
Missionary Father Junipero Serra Vignette
While Gaspar de Portola was given overall command of the 1769 expedition to California, it was Father Junipero Serra who was the leader of the Franciscan missionaries that accompanied him. Father Serra had command of all spiritual matters. When the party reached San Diego in July, 1769, Father Serra established Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of the 21 California missions.
Father Serra was born on the island of Mallorca in 1713 and died in 1784 at Mission San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel, California. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1730 and became a priest in 1737. Considered intellectually brilliant by his peers, he received a doctorate in theology and taught philosophy at a local school.
By 1748 he determined to become a missionary and eventually traveled to Mexico City, Mexico where he was assigned to administer the Sierra Gorda Indian Missions. In 1767 after he was appointed president of the missions of Baja California, he traveled to Loreto where he met Gaspar de Portola, the governor of Las Californias. As president he dealt with church officials, Spanish officials in Mexico City, and the commanders of the local military garrisons.
Father Serra moved to the Monterey area in 1770 and founded Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (Carmel) which served as his headquarters. Between 1769 and 1782 under his leadership, nine missions were establish from San Diego to San Francisco, including Mission San Juan Capistrano (1776) in Orange County. The chapel at the mission, built in 1782, is thought to be the oldest standing building in California and is commonly referred to as "Father Serra's Church." It is the only remaining church in which he is known to have celebrated the rites of the Catholic Church.
While Gaspar de Portola was given overall command of the 1769 expedition to California, it was Father Junipero Serra who was the leader of the Franciscan missionaries that accompanied him. Father Serra had command of all spiritual matters. When the party reached San Diego in July, 1769, Father Serra established Mission San Diego de Alcala, the first of the 21 California missions.
Father Serra was born on the island of Mallorca in 1713 and died in 1784 at Mission San Carlos Borromeo in Carmel, California. He entered the Franciscan Order in 1730 and became a priest in 1737. Considered intellectually brilliant by his peers, he received a doctorate in theology and taught philosophy at a local school.
By 1748 he determined to become a missionary and eventually traveled to Mexico City, Mexico where he was assigned to administer the Sierra Gorda Indian Missions. In 1767 after he was appointed president of the missions of Baja California, he traveled to Loreto where he met Gaspar de Portola, the governor of Las Californias. As president he dealt with church officials, Spanish officials in Mexico City, and the commanders of the local military garrisons.
Father Serra moved to the Monterey area in 1770 and founded Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo (Carmel) which served as his headquarters. Between 1769 and 1782 under his leadership, nine missions were establish from San Diego to San Francisco, including Mission San Juan Capistrano (1776) in Orange County. The chapel at the mission, built in 1782, is thought to be the oldest standing building in California and is commonly referred to as "Father Serra's Church." It is the only remaining church in which he is known to have celebrated the rites of the Catholic Church.
Jose Antonio Yorba Vignette
Don Jose Antonio Yorba was born in 1743 in Catalonia, Spain. He became a Spanish soldier and took part in the 1762 invasion of Portugal during the Seven Years War. He served as a corporal under Gaspar de Portola and participated in the 1769 exploration of California with the Portola Expedition.
He remained in California after the expedition, marrying twice and fathering 17 children between 1774 and 1810. His children and descendants married into prominent California families whose names are synonymous with Orange County today, including Kraemer, Irvine, and Dominguez.
In 1810 he was awarded the 63,414 acre Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana land grant for his service. The ranch he established and passed on to his children encompassed much of present day Orange County. Don Jose passed away in 1825 and was buried in an unmarked grave at Mission San Juan Capistrano at his request.
Don Jose Antonio Yorba was born in 1743 in Catalonia, Spain. He became a Spanish soldier and took part in the 1762 invasion of Portugal during the Seven Years War. He served as a corporal under Gaspar de Portola and participated in the 1769 exploration of California with the Portola Expedition.
He remained in California after the expedition, marrying twice and fathering 17 children between 1774 and 1810. His children and descendants married into prominent California families whose names are synonymous with Orange County today, including Kraemer, Irvine, and Dominguez.
In 1810 he was awarded the 63,414 acre Rancho Santiago de Santa Ana land grant for his service. The ranch he established and passed on to his children encompassed much of present day Orange County. Don Jose passed away in 1825 and was buried in an unmarked grave at Mission San Juan Capistrano at his request.
Native Californians Vignette
Evidence of human population in California dates from about 19,000 years ago. Early Native Californians were hunter-gatherers who had rich and diverse food resources, including hundreds of edible plants, marine animals, birds and insects. Most tribes practiced forest gardening and controlled burning to ensure availability of food and medicinal plants. The acorns from the California Live Oak and manzanita berries were two staples in their diet. California juniper was used extensively for medicinal purposes. Basket making was an important part of the culture since they were both beautiful and useful, fulfilling daily functions such as food bowls, cooking items, water vessels, etc.
Prior to European contact California had a high native population of 500 distinct sub-groups of 50-500 members. Women were generally responsible for weaving, harvesting, processing and preparing food, while the men were the hunters and laborers. In Southern California the Toloache religion was dominant and some tribes, like the Chumash, were noted for their rock art.
In 1769 the Spanish began their occupation of California with the Portola Expedition and the founding of the first mission in San Diego. The missions were designed to introduce the Catholic faith to the native peoples. They also served to integrate the natives into Spanish society and provide a workforce for the expanding Spanish empire. Ultimately it was hoped they would be trained to take over ownership and management of land.
The First Mexican Republic, which formed in 1824, continued the mission system as it had been first created. However, by 1833 an act to secularize the missions passed and effectively ended religious authority over the native people in Alta California. Land was not returned to the tribes, but, instead, was granted to settlers of European ancestry, creating large ranchos. While this gave the native people the chance to leave the mission system, many of them became wage laborers at the ranchos because they did not own land.
In Orange County the enormous rancho owned by Bernardo Yorba would have employed and housed a large number of these Mission natives.
Evidence of human population in California dates from about 19,000 years ago. Early Native Californians were hunter-gatherers who had rich and diverse food resources, including hundreds of edible plants, marine animals, birds and insects. Most tribes practiced forest gardening and controlled burning to ensure availability of food and medicinal plants. The acorns from the California Live Oak and manzanita berries were two staples in their diet. California juniper was used extensively for medicinal purposes. Basket making was an important part of the culture since they were both beautiful and useful, fulfilling daily functions such as food bowls, cooking items, water vessels, etc.
Prior to European contact California had a high native population of 500 distinct sub-groups of 50-500 members. Women were generally responsible for weaving, harvesting, processing and preparing food, while the men were the hunters and laborers. In Southern California the Toloache religion was dominant and some tribes, like the Chumash, were noted for their rock art.
In 1769 the Spanish began their occupation of California with the Portola Expedition and the founding of the first mission in San Diego. The missions were designed to introduce the Catholic faith to the native peoples. They also served to integrate the natives into Spanish society and provide a workforce for the expanding Spanish empire. Ultimately it was hoped they would be trained to take over ownership and management of land.
The First Mexican Republic, which formed in 1824, continued the mission system as it had been first created. However, by 1833 an act to secularize the missions passed and effectively ended religious authority over the native people in Alta California. Land was not returned to the tribes, but, instead, was granted to settlers of European ancestry, creating large ranchos. While this gave the native people the chance to leave the mission system, many of them became wage laborers at the ranchos because they did not own land.
In Orange County the enormous rancho owned by Bernardo Yorba would have employed and housed a large number of these Mission natives.
Richard Milhouse Nixon Vignette
The thirty-seventh President of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon, was born on 9 January 1913 in what was then the Township Precinct of Yorba Linda, City of Fullerton, Orange County, California. His parents, Francis "Frank" A. Nixon and Hannah Milhous Nixon had moved to Yorba Linda a few years before where Frank had built a small house and established a citrus farm on which he primarily raised lemons.
Richard Nixon is the only U.S. President born in California or on the West Coast. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 12th District and a U.S. Senator from California between 1947 and 1953. He was serving as the 36th U.S. Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 when Allan B. Hall was commissioned to paint the Robin Paul Memorial Mural.
As early pioneers in Yorba Linda and Orange County, the Nixon's were very involved in community affairs. Frank Nixon signed a 1913 petition to establish a library in Yorba Linda, Hannah was a charter member of the Yorba Linda Woman's Club, and they both were instrumental in establishing the Friends Church. Eventually, the Nixon's citrus ranch property was purchased by the local school district and the Nixon Elementary School was built there. The house became the home of the school custodian and so was preserved.
In 1969 President and Mrs. Nixon purchased a beachfront mansion named La Casa Pacifica located in the South Orange County town of San Clemente, near Camp Pendleton Marine Base. They used it when not in residence at the White House and the press subsequently nicknamed it "The Western Whitehouse." The Nixon's lived at La Casa Pacifica for several years after leaving Washington.
When it came time to establish Nixon's presidential library, the decision was made to build it in Yorba Linda on the land his father had owned early in the century. The school was torn down, his early boyhood home was refurbished, and the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace was opened as a private institution in 1990 with the Nixon family attending the ceremonies. Both President Nixon and his wife Pat are buried on the grounds of his Presidential Library. People from all over the world visit the library and burial site every year.
The thirty-seventh President of the United States, Richard Milhous Nixon, was born on 9 January 1913 in what was then the Township Precinct of Yorba Linda, City of Fullerton, Orange County, California. His parents, Francis "Frank" A. Nixon and Hannah Milhous Nixon had moved to Yorba Linda a few years before where Frank had built a small house and established a citrus farm on which he primarily raised lemons.
Richard Nixon is the only U.S. President born in California or on the West Coast. He was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 12th District and a U.S. Senator from California between 1947 and 1953. He was serving as the 36th U.S. Vice President under Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958 when Allan B. Hall was commissioned to paint the Robin Paul Memorial Mural.
As early pioneers in Yorba Linda and Orange County, the Nixon's were very involved in community affairs. Frank Nixon signed a 1913 petition to establish a library in Yorba Linda, Hannah was a charter member of the Yorba Linda Woman's Club, and they both were instrumental in establishing the Friends Church. Eventually, the Nixon's citrus ranch property was purchased by the local school district and the Nixon Elementary School was built there. The house became the home of the school custodian and so was preserved.
In 1969 President and Mrs. Nixon purchased a beachfront mansion named La Casa Pacifica located in the South Orange County town of San Clemente, near Camp Pendleton Marine Base. They used it when not in residence at the White House and the press subsequently nicknamed it "The Western Whitehouse." The Nixon's lived at La Casa Pacifica for several years after leaving Washington.
When it came time to establish Nixon's presidential library, the decision was made to build it in Yorba Linda on the land his father had owned early in the century. The school was torn down, his early boyhood home was refurbished, and the Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace was opened as a private institution in 1990 with the Nixon family attending the ceremonies. Both President Nixon and his wife Pat are buried on the grounds of his Presidential Library. People from all over the world visit the library and burial site every year.
Gaspar de Portola Vignette
The 1769 Portola Expedition into California laid the foundation for the development of important cities and conferred names to geographic places throughout the state. After Juan Cabrillo claimed land for Spain in 1542, little was done with the area until Spain decided to establish missions and outposts north of Baja California to prevent foreign powers from claiming the territory.
The expedition landed in San Diego in April 1769 after a three month voyage from La Paz, Spain. Portola marched north with 63 soldiers and 100 mules. The expedition recorded an earthquake at the Santa Ana River on July 28th and reached Hillcrest Park in present-day Fullerton, Orange County, on the 29th. They crossed the Puente Hills at a pass in La Habra and continued north, arriving at San Francisco Bay on November 4th.
Many members of the expedition received large land grants for their service and established huge ranches in Southern California. Jose Antonio Yorba received a land grant of over 63,000 acres including the cities of Yorba Linda, Olive, Orange, Villa Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach.
Numerous places have been named for Portola including Portola Middle School in Orange and Portola High School in Irvine. The school in Orange is close to where the expedition crossed the Santa Ana River. Portola Parkway runs through Irvine and Lake Forest in Orange County supposedly using the same route taken by the expedition.
The 1769 Portola Expedition into California laid the foundation for the development of important cities and conferred names to geographic places throughout the state. After Juan Cabrillo claimed land for Spain in 1542, little was done with the area until Spain decided to establish missions and outposts north of Baja California to prevent foreign powers from claiming the territory.
The expedition landed in San Diego in April 1769 after a three month voyage from La Paz, Spain. Portola marched north with 63 soldiers and 100 mules. The expedition recorded an earthquake at the Santa Ana River on July 28th and reached Hillcrest Park in present-day Fullerton, Orange County, on the 29th. They crossed the Puente Hills at a pass in La Habra and continued north, arriving at San Francisco Bay on November 4th.
Many members of the expedition received large land grants for their service and established huge ranches in Southern California. Jose Antonio Yorba received a land grant of over 63,000 acres including the cities of Yorba Linda, Olive, Orange, Villa Park, Santa Ana, Tustin, Costa Mesa, and Newport Beach.
Numerous places have been named for Portola including Portola Middle School in Orange and Portola High School in Irvine. The school in Orange is close to where the expedition crossed the Santa Ana River. Portola Parkway runs through Irvine and Lake Forest in Orange County supposedly using the same route taken by the expedition.
