Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II – Spanish Explorer
Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II stands as a pivotal figure in the history of the American West, a Mexican-born trailblazer and explorer whose legacy is etched into the landscape and the very foundations of California. He achieved lasting fame as the first person of European descent to forge an overland trail connecting Mexico to the northern Pacific coast of California, a feat of exploration that paved the way for settlement and transformed the region. His expeditions were instrumental in bringing hundreds of settlers to what would become the Golden State, leading directly to the establishment of vibrant communities and the founding of iconic cities such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose. The impact of Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II on the development of California is undeniable.
Born in July 1736 in Fronteras, Sonora, Mexico, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II was the son of Juan Bautista de Anza I, a soldier and explorer himself. The seeds of adventure and military service were sown early in young Juan Bautista’s life. In 1752, at the age of sixteen, he enlisted in the army at the Presidio of Fronteras, embarking on a career that would see him rise through the ranks with remarkable speed. By 1760, he had attained the rank of captain, a testament to his abilities and dedication. The following year, in 1761, he solidified his position within the community by marrying Ana María Pérez Serrano, the daughter of Francisco Pérez Serrano, a prominent Spanish mine owner. This union not only brought social standing but also connected him to a family with significant influence in the region.
Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II quickly gained recognition for his skills as a soldier, particularly in the challenging campaigns against the Apache Indians in the territories of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico. The Apache were formidable warriors, and the conflicts were often brutal, requiring courage, strategic thinking, and unwavering resolve. Anza’s success in these campaigns solidified his reputation as a capable and respected military leader. His experiences in these conflicts undoubtedly honed his skills in navigation, logistics, and diplomacy, all of which would prove invaluable in his later explorations.
A significant episode in Anza’s early career occurred on July 25, 1767, when he received orders to arrest Jesuits along the Sonora River. This commission was a delicate and politically charged assignment, reflecting the shifting power dynamics between the Spanish Crown and the Jesuit order. While Anza successfully carried out the order, it was a task he undertook with considerable unease, recognizing the potential ramifications and the moral complexities involved.
The year 1772 marked a pivotal moment in Anza’s career, when he formally requested permission from the viceroy to undertake a daring expedition: to discover an overland route to Alta California. This was not merely a personal ambition; it was a strategic imperative for the Spanish Empire, which sought to expand its influence and secure its claims in the region. The dream of finding a land route to California had been held by his father, Juan Bautista de Anza I, who had attempted the journey in 1737 but was tragically killed by Apache Indians before he could complete it. This ambition now passed to the son, who was determined to succeed where his father had failed.
In January 1774, Anza embarked on his momentous expedition, leaving from Tubac, Mexico, with a carefully selected team of soldiers, guides, and interpreters. The journey was fraught with challenges, including harsh terrain, unpredictable weather, and the constant threat of encounters with Native American tribes. Despite these obstacles, Anza’s leadership, resourcefulness, and diplomatic skills proved crucial. He successfully navigated the treacherous landscape, established peaceful relations with some indigenous groups, and ultimately reached the newly established Presidio of Monterey in California. He returned to Tubac in May of the same year, having accomplished his mission. News of his success reached the King of Spain, who recognized Anza’s extraordinary achievement by promoting him to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
The success of his initial expedition spurred further ambitions and plans. In January 1775, Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II began organizing a second, even more ambitious expedition in Mexico City, this time with the goal of colonizing the San Francisco Bay area. He embarked on a recruitment drive in Culiacán, Mexico, seeking families willing to undertake the arduous journey and establish new lives in the distant land of California. The response was remarkable, and by October 23, 1775, Anza was ready to depart from Tubac with a large contingent of approximately 300 people and a substantial herd of 1,000 head of livestock. This was not a mere exploration; it was a carefully planned migration, intended to establish a permanent Spanish presence in the region. The expedition faced immense logistical challenges. There were no wagons or carts; all supplies were loaded onto pack mules each morning and unloaded every night, a testament to the sheer scale of the undertaking and the resilience of the participants.
The expedition finally arrived in Monterey, California, in March 1776, after months of arduous travel. Leaving the majority of the colonists in Monterey, Anza, accompanied by the expedition chaplain, Friar Pedro Font, and a detachment of soldiers, embarked on an exploration of the San Francisco Bay area. This reconnaissance mission was crucial for identifying suitable locations for settlements and assessing the resources available.
Upon his return to Mexico City, Anza was rewarded for his accomplishments. In the fall of 1776, he was appointed commander of all the troops in Sonora, a significant promotion that recognized his military prowess and leadership capabilities. The following year, in 1777, he received another prestigious appointment: Governor of New Mexico. This position placed him in charge of a vast and strategically important territory, responsible for maintaining order, defending against incursions, and fostering relations with Native American tribes.
In 1779, while serving as Governor of New Mexico, Anza led a large-scale military expedition involving 800 men and 2,500 horses. The expedition ventured north through Colorado, crossing the Arkansas River, with the objective of engaging the Comanche Indians under the leadership of Chief Cuerno Verde. The campaign culminated in a decisive battle near Rye, Colorado, where Anza’s forces cornered and killed Chief Cuerno Verde and several other key headmen. This victory proved to be a turning point in relations with the Comanche, eventually leading to the signing of a lasting peace treaty, the longest ever negotiated between the Comanche and the governments of Spain, Mexico, or the United States.
That same year, Anza led an expedition to the Hopi country, providing much-needed assistance to the Hopi people who were suffering from a prolonged and devastating drought. In 1780, he undertook another important expedition, this time to discover a more direct route between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Arizpe, Sonora, Mexico, a mission he successfully completed.
After years of dedicated service, Anza requested to be relieved of his duties as Governor, a request that was granted in 1787. He was then appointed commander of the Buenaventura Presidio and subsequently commander of all the troops in Sonora. In the fall of 1788, he was appointed commander of the Tucson Presidio. After conducting a review of the troops there, he returned to his home in Arizpe, where he died suddenly on December 19, 1788. Today, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail commemorates his remarkable journey and the enduring legacy of Captain Juan Bautista de Anza II within Arizona and California.