In 1769, Captain Gaspar de Portolá led the first Spanish overland expedition through what is now Orange County. It marked a turning point in the history of California, and provides us with our first written descriptions of the area and its native inhabitants.
Historian Phil Brigandi will present a description of the expedition, discuss their encounters with the Indians, and trace the trail through Orange County at the next Orange County Historical Society meeting, March 14, 7:30p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church, 2400 N. Canal St., in Orange.
Brigandi is also coordinating our bus tour this summer along the Portolá trail, which will feature stops near several of the campsites and talks by local historians. Reservations are now open on our website or you can sign up at the meeting.