THE EARLY WEST COAST EXPLORATION

Following the discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, Spain sent conquistadores into Mexico (New Spain). One group under Cortez conquered the Indians, and also found their source of silver at Taxco. From there, they went over the mountains to the fine natural harbor at Acapulco where they built a fort in 1529.

The coast north from Acapulco was first explored by ship by Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. One of his landings was at Point Loma, San Diego, where he claimed the land for the Spanish King. His record noted this as "California," which was then considered an island.

The name "California" and the idea that it was an island came from a novel by Montalvo published in Spain in 1510. Montalvo described his island as tropical and "on the right hand of the Indies." The area Cabrillo saw resembled this.

In 1602, Sebastian Vizcaino explored for Spain and gave many coastal places names still used today. His map still showed California as an island.

From 1698 to 1701, Father Kino, a priest from Sonora, sometimes with Father Salvatierra, explored the upper Gulf and Colorado River areas. He found California to be part of the mainland. He drew a fine map that was published in 1704. In 1711, Alarcon sailed up the river, confirming that Father Kino was right.