Rodeo in Contra Costa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The De Anza Expedition in Rodeo
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
1. The De Anza Expedition in Rodeo Marker
In the center of the marker is a circular motif, designed by Doris Birkland Beezley, of a rider superimposed upon a sun-like set of compass points, with the "De Anza Expedition 1775 1776" written above the rider.
Erected 1976 by Rodeo Lions Club.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1775.
Location. 38° 1.888′ N, 122° 15.993′ W. Marker is in Rodeo, California, in Contra Costa County. Marker is on Parker Avenue south of 4th Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 499 Parker Avenue, Rodeo CA 94572, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Lefty Gomez Field (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Hercules Powder Works Chinese Laborers Memorial (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Hay Schooner Carlotta
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More about this marker. The marker is mounted on a monument in front of the Rodeo Post Office.
Also see . . . Contra Costa County - Tierra Caliente to the Puerto Dulce. The National Park Service's Juan Batista de Anza National Historic Trail guide page for Contra Costa County, "Anza's men chased Tule Elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) near Berkeley, and then continued north. On April 1st, the group camped at a small stream. Today, the campsite is at the conjunction of Parker and San Pablo Avenues and Rodeo Creek, a heavily industrialized area. A commemorative marker from the 1976 reenactment is on Parker Road between 4th and 6th Street in front of the post office in the town of Rodeo. The coast reminded Font of Sonora's Tierra Caliente (Hot Country)." (Father Pedro Font was the missionary that accompanied the expedition.) (Submitted on November 22, 2009.)
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
2. The De Anza Expedition in Rodeo Marker and Monument
Directly above the marker is a dedication plaque indicating that the monument and marker were dedicated on April 1, 1976 by the Rodeo-Crockett Chamber of Commerce. Directly below the marker is a small plaque reading "Erected by Rodeo Lions Club".
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, November 8, 2009
3. Juan Batista de Anza National Historic Trail Sign
Per the National Park Service trail guide: "The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail is a 1,210-mile historic route from Nogales, Arizona to San Francisco, California. The trail commemorates the story of the 1775-1776 Spanish Expedition whose members, consisting of some 30 families, experienced this overland route on their trek to Alta (or upper) California. They founded and established the Mission and Presidio of San Francisco, the Mission in Santa Clara and the Pueblo of San José. Most settled in what is today the San Francisco Bay Area."
Photographed By Andrew Ruppenstein, April 12, 2009
4. The De Anza Expedition in Rodeo Marker and Rodeo Post Office
Credits. This page was last revised on November 3, 2019. It was originally submitted on November 21, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 1,227 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 21, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 22, 2009, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
