Anza250
250 years later, join us as we recognize, commemorate, and celebrate the rich and diverse history that links us all together.
Stay tuned for full details
Who was Juan Bautista de Anza?
Juan Bautista de Anza was the Captain of the Tubac Presidio from 1760 to 1777.
Who went on the expedition?
The expedition included over 200 travelers who had been recruited from throughout Mexico to make a new life in Alta California. These travelers included settlers, soldiers, vaqueros, muleteers, servants, and Native American guides. You can learn more about the people on the Anza Expedition from the National Park Service.
Where did the Anza Expedition go?
The Anza Expedition traveled over land to what is now California and established the Presidio of San Francisco.
Did Anza create the trail himself?
No, Anza followed trade routes and other trails that had been established and used by Indigenous peoples long before Spanish colonization.
Why did they go on the expedition?
The Spanish desired to increase their colonization of North America, especially as Russians began to explore further down the coast of the Pacific Northwest.
Was the Anza Expedition a good thing?
Yes and no. Spanish colonists benefited from the opportunity to build a new life in San Francisco, and the new colony gave Spain more power. However, this came at the expense of Indigenous peoples, their cultures, and their sovereignty over their land. Many of the negative impacts of colonization by Spain and other countries are still being experienced today.
