1. Major nations of California Indians; adaptation to their environment
2. European exploration and settlement
3. Spanish exploration and colonization
4. Spanish mission system
5. Daily lives of people: presidios, missions, ranchos and pueblos
6. Influence of Franciscans on the economy
7. Effects of Mexican War for Independence
8. Mexican rule: land grants, secularization of missions, rancho economy.
Support Materials for this Section
San Diego Mission, 1890
San Diego Mission, 1900
San Diego Mission, 1920
San Luis Rey Mission, 1889
Mission Dam, 1911
Serra palm, 1937
José Guadalupe Estudillo, 1880
California Indians
Edward Harvey Davis
Edward Harvey Davis (1862-1951) took a deep interest in preserving local Indian culture, which he feared was disappearing from San Diego. He made friends with members of local tribes, learned about their customs, and collected artifacts. He took photographs, made drawings, and kept journals, many of which are part of the San Diego History Center’s collections today. Below you will see a few of the many photographs by Edward Davis.
San Ygnacio Indian woman, 1911
Tatahuila Indian dancer, 1907
Indian mortar holes, 1930
Campo Indian with olla, 1918
Apache Indian family, 1900
Indian men and boy, 1904
Pala Indian weaving a basket, 1904
Campo Indian boy, 1910
For more information about the HELP Program, please contact the San Diego History Center’s Education Department at: education@sandiegohistory.org
