Timeline of California History
Mexican Period 1821-1847

Year

Alta and Baja California designated territories of new Mexican Federal Republic.

Trappers of the Hudson Bay Company led by Peter Skene Ogden explore interior of northern California; American trappers led by Jedediah Smith make first overland journey to California from the east.

Smith and two companions are first white men to cross the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Governor Figueroa Calls for the secularization of Franciscan missions; The Hijar-Padrés party of settlers comes from Mexico hoping to settle on mission lands. Rachel Larson gives birth to first American child born in California in Santa Barbara; the child does not survive her first year.

Californios led by Juan Bauststa Alvarado declare independence from Mexico. Mexico responds by making Alta California a department with Alvarado as governor.

Governor Alvardo grants 48,000 acres in the Sacramento Valley to John A. Sutter hoping it will be a defensive barrier against Americans coming from the east. British Consul General Alexander Forbes proposes that Mexico settle its dept with Great Britain by ceding Alta California.

Writing in Two Years Before the Mast Richard Henry Dana, Jr. proposes Alta California become an American possession, even though he writes disaparagingly about the Californios.

Frenchman Comte Eugène Duflot du Mofras visits Alta California with an eye toward it becoming a possible French colony.

U.S. Naval Commodore Thomas ap Catesby Jones sails into Monterey and proclaims California belongs to the U.S. He raises the American Flag but the next day apologized for his mistake, lowers his flag and sails away.

Irish priest Eugene McNamara tries to negotiate a colony of 10,000 Irishmen for Alta California.

U.S. Army Captain John Charles Frèmont raises the American flag on Gavilán Peak near Monterey in January in defiance of the Mexican officials. He retreats to Oregon with a Mexican Army force threatens him. In June, American settlers in Sonoma pronounce their independence and create the Bear Flag Republic. In July, with the start of the Mexican-American Way, U.S. naval troops occupy Monterey.

The battle of La Mesa brings an end to the way with California now in U.S. possession.