Private citizens worried that the state's deteriorating historical sites would disappear unless efforts were made to save them. Groups such as the Native Sons of the Golden West initiated preservation programs throughout the state, restoring, funding, and administering many historic sites with private funding. Historic landmark registration became official in 1931. In that year, the State Legislature passed an act requiring the Department of Natural Resources to direct a Historic Landmarks Project, delegating administration to the California State Chamber of Commerce. Natural Resources embarked upon an effort to collect information regarding the historical significance, general background, and area development of state parks, historic sites, monuments, in order to determine which sites would be designated historic landmarks. Each investigation resulted in the production of a historical monograph regarding the potential resource, laying the foundation for the extensive state park and historical site system that Californians enjoy to this day. The records presented here show the results of research into two campsites used by Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de Anza during his exploration of the San Francisco Bay in the 1770s.

For additional information see California Revealed.

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