Synopses & Reviews
A striking feature of California is the frequency with which its natural landmarks and cities are named for Christian saints. Many place names are traceable to the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Spanish navigators, soldiers, and friars who christened the geographical sites they crossed and the missions and presidios they founded as they sought to secure California under Spanish rule. These explorers and the settlers who followed them often named sites for the saint whose feast day fell on the day the location was named.
The authors highlight the appearances of more than ninety saintsandrsquo; namesandmdash;from San Agustin to San Ysidroandmdash;in present-day California. A sketch of the historical origin for each place name is followed by a brief overview of the life of the saint for whom it is named. This handy little volume will be a valued source for anyone interested in the fascinating history of the Golden State.
Review
and#160;andldquo;A handy little guidebook to the multitudes of California cities and landmarks with Christian monikers.andrdquo;andmdash;Los Angeles Magazine
Synopsis
"San Francisco, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara. How did all these Spanish saints' names come to pepper the map of California? This handy reference guide features more than ninety entries on the Golden State's namesake saints. It includes fascinating historical information from Old California on the origins of each name, color illustrations of each saint from paintings and other artworks, and a synopsis of the saint's life."--Cover, p. [4].
Synopsis
A striking feature of California is the frequency with which its natural landmarks and cities are named for Christian saints. Many place names are traceable to the seventeenth- and eighteenth-century Spanish navigators, soldiers, and friars who christened the geographical sites they crossed and the missions and presidios they founded as they sought to secure California under Spanish rule. These explorers and the settlers who followed them often named sites for the saint whose feast day fell on the day the location was named.
The authors highlight the appearances of more than ninety saints' names--from San Agustin to San Ysidro--in present-day California. A sketch of the historical origin for each place name is followed by a brief overview of the life of the saint for whom it is named. This handy little volume will be a valued source for anyone interested in the fascinating history of the Golden State.
About the Author
Edward Mornin is Professor Emeritus of Germanic Studies at the University of British Columbia in Canada.
Lorna Mornin is a former lecturer and research scientist at the same university. They are the authors of Saints: A Visual Guide.