driving around LA a few days ago, I noticed a sign on the 605 freeway "Pio Pico Mansion" in Whittier. Now, I've learned a little about California history.
Thank you for this great video I wish u could put more out faster love to learn about the history about the streets we drive daily and the cities we live in keep it up can't wait for the next vid
I agree... I wish I could get more cooperation from the native organizations I have contacted in the past. I'm not a corporation or a business.. I'm an individual and do not have a budget at all. However, I do offer to promote local organizations who assist me. They just don't seem to want to participate... maybe I just haven't found the right person/contact from one of those organizations. However, I don't run into the same road blocks with the Historical societies and local museums of the area.
I did a documentary on the history of Pacoima called PacoimaStories "Land of Dreams" and the problem is history provided the wrong tribal name for the region. I interviewed Rudy Ortega Jr. Tribal President for the Fernandeno-Tataviam Tribe and they were very cooperative. I was sent on a goose chase trying to find the Tonga tribe which is farther south. I was able to incorporate their very important story in my film. I'm glad to hear you tried. I am an independent producer as well so I can relate to the challenges. I still enjoyed your film. Check out the trailer at www.pacoimastories.com
Dude..no disrespect but some may and some may not be...not All Mexicans are native Americans....and the Mexican Californios are not the aboriginal peoples of California. Personally I do respect Tribal territories. it gets a little gray at what is now the border however.
GreaserCentral Your statement is inaccurate and offensive to the true natives of California. Mexico is not the only country or territory that “managed” California before annexed into the US. Although it was by far the worst rulership in the history of California with 40 presidents in only 20 years. Being a multigenerational Native, I take our proud heritage seriously. Please don’t try to rewrite history with flippant remarks.
Could you do a video evolving Rowland Heights I live here and I just wanna learn more about it PS. Love your videos by the way and I got my dad into them too
Wish there were more of these but I am sure they take quite a bit of time to produce. I would love to be a part of this if nothing more than for he research.
In regards to Cahuenga Pass, the truth behind this story is how the Rowland's, Temple's, etc. acquired the land/property mentioned. The land was originally the land occupied by the Gabrieleno Mission Indians-Kizh Nation. There were no boundaries nor were there any entitlements, all free range with many many villages throughout. Later heirs of the tribe established Ranchos which ultimately was taken over by the Pico's etc where your story begins. Please contact gabrielenoindians@yahoo.com for the true history behind forefathers of the area. It is time that the original people are given equal time.
Hello Henry, I have reached out to different native organizations, I would love to find one that would like to work with me on some projects. On the story I did about the name of Turnbull Canyon, I originally wrote the story starting with the native Tongva, and went looking into the name they had for the canyon... but I couldn't get cooperation form the places I had contacted. One of my goals with Forgotten Tales was to incorporate the natives into my story telling, because as you said, that's where the area's story begins.
Why is there always the need to white-wash Black men in history. The very light-skinned actor, lightened up portraits, and non mention of Pico as a dark skinned black man, makes me suspicious of your account of this history. IVORY
Pio Pico was multi-racial, he was part Spanish, Mexican, African and Native American. This was a completely voluntary effort to make this documentary, and we all made this with love and respect for our local history. I cast the actors using friends and family who I felt looked close enough to the people they were portraying. But if that doesn't convince you that this video was made with love and intent to deliver an accurate account to what happened... then nothing will.. So go do the research for yourself and let me know what you find.
John Garcia ! I'm 4 hours into your playlist and I appreciate your works. Salute
My 4th generation grandfather Ramon Valenzuela served in the war with General Pio Pico.
driving around LA a few days ago, I noticed a sign on the 605 freeway "Pio Pico Mansion" in Whittier. Now, I've learned a little about California history.
Thank you John for putting this together. So much history around us. Your films keep getting better and better.
Thank you for this great video I wish u could put more out faster love to learn about the history about the streets we drive daily and the cities we live in keep it up can't wait for the next vid
Thank you for the kind words, and I am glad you are enjoying them. Please share them. I am currently working on 2 more. Stay tuned.
I really enjoyed watching this. Great work, John!
You guys do great work!
I remember the San Fernando Valley when we first discovered her. Orange groves as far as the eye could see
Loved this thank you for more forgotten history. It's amazing how much history happened in our own backyards.
EXCELLENT video!! I had no idea about any of this taking place in and around that area, very interesting!
It's crazy that this wasn't really that long ago.
The Pico blood runs threw me! blessed
U should upload more since I love learning about California history
We just uploaded one about the History of Movie Theatres... And were working on 3 more now... Research takes a while, but stay tuned... more to come.
Good story. Would like to know the role Native Americans played during this time. They always seem to be ignored when history is told.
I agree... I wish I could get more cooperation from the native organizations I have contacted in the past. I'm not a corporation or a business.. I'm an individual and do not have a budget at all. However, I do offer to promote local organizations who assist me. They just don't seem to want to participate... maybe I just haven't found the right person/contact from one of those organizations. However, I don't run into the same road blocks with the Historical societies and local museums of the area.
I did a documentary on the history of Pacoima called PacoimaStories "Land of Dreams" and the problem is history provided the wrong tribal name for the region. I interviewed Rudy Ortega Jr. Tribal President for the Fernandeno-Tataviam Tribe and they were very cooperative. I was sent on a goose chase trying to find the Tonga tribe which is farther south. I was able to incorporate their very important story in my film. I'm glad to hear you tried. I am an independent producer as well so I can relate to the challenges. I still enjoyed your film. Check out the trailer at www.pacoimastories.com
Mexicans ARE native Americans
Dude..no disrespect but some may and some may not be...not All Mexicans are native Americans....and the Mexican Californios are not the aboriginal peoples of California. Personally I do respect Tribal territories. it gets a little gray at what is now the border however.
GreaserCentral Your statement is inaccurate and offensive to the true natives of California. Mexico is not the only country or territory that “managed” California before annexed into the US. Although it was by far the worst rulership in the history of California with 40 presidents in only 20 years. Being a multigenerational Native, I take our proud heritage seriously. Please don’t try to rewrite history with flippant remarks.
Could you do a video evolving Rowland Heights I live here and I just wanna learn more about it PS. Love your videos by the way and I got my dad into them too
Thank you so much. I have to admit I was guilty of going through life without knowing about my own birth land. No longer, though.
It's great to know that Pio Pico was that of African descent.
Wish there were more of these but I am sure they take quite a bit of time to produce. I would love to be a part of this if nothing more than for he research.
In regards to Cahuenga Pass, the truth behind this story is how the Rowland's, Temple's, etc. acquired the land/property mentioned. The land was originally the land occupied by the Gabrieleno Mission Indians-Kizh Nation. There were no boundaries nor were there any entitlements, all free range with many many villages throughout. Later heirs of the tribe established Ranchos which ultimately was taken over by the Pico's etc where your story begins. Please contact gabrielenoindians@yahoo.com for the true history behind forefathers of the area. It is time that the original people are given equal time.
Hello Henry, I have reached out to different native organizations, I would love to find one that would like to work with me on some projects. On the story I did about the name of Turnbull Canyon, I originally wrote the story starting with the native Tongva, and went looking into the name they had for the canyon... but I couldn't get cooperation form the places I had contacted. One of my goals with Forgotten Tales was to incorporate the natives into my story telling, because as you said, that's where the area's story begins.
The Tataviam tribe was in this territory. They have an office in San Fernando.
Thank you, I have been contacting Tongva organizations in the San Gabriel Valley. I will reach out to the Tataviam tribe for future projects.
#NorthHollywood4ever
Proud to be a mexican american from los angeles but for some reason wished it was still mexico
2025 ❤🎉
Yes, yes it is 2025.
Why is there always the need to white-wash
Black men in history.
The very light-skinned actor, lightened up portraits, and non mention of Pico as a dark skinned black man, makes me suspicious of your account of this history.
IVORY
Pio Pico was multi-racial, he was part Spanish, Mexican, African and Native American. This was a completely voluntary effort to make this documentary, and we all made this with love and respect for our local history. I cast the actors using friends and family who I felt looked close enough to the people they were portraying. But if that doesn't convince you that this video was made with love and intent to deliver an accurate account to what happened... then nothing will.. So go do the research for yourself and let me know what you find.
Wasn't pio pico a black mexican?
He was Mexican, African and Native American... These are just reenactments, we're not trying to pass this off as archival footage.