Historical Context of the Press

In 1821, Mexico received Independence from Spain and while under Spain’s rule there was tight control over trade and printing. It wasn’t until after their independence that printing slowly became more widespread. The years after they gained their independence the Anglo-americans developed an intensive trade with Alta California via ships sailing around the horn much like the Logoda did when it brought the Zamorano printing press to Alta California. Up until 1848 with the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, what would come to be known as California, Nevada, Utah, and part of Arizona, was under Mexican control and was often referred to as Alta California. (Bibliographical Society of America)

Sometime in mid 1834, the first printing press [the Zamorano] was brought into Alta California on the Logada ship. In 1846 the United States went to war with the Mexican government and Mexico ended up losing the war in 1848. Right before the war with the United States, the American colonists were often condescending and had antipathy towards the Mexicans and it only grew worse after the war and Alta California was ceded to the United States. In addition, in the year 1848, the city of Yerba Buena changed its name to what it’s known as today: San Francisco. (Bibliographical Society of America)

In 1848, gold was discovered in California and thus started the California Gold Rush. It is in part due to the gold rush that caused many new settlers to come to California in search of gold and hopes for striking it rich. With the inflow of people coming to California and creating new mining towns, gave the Zamorano press time to move around and start many new newspapers throughout these newly built towns. It was during these times that there were many fires throughout California towns becasue of how quickly and poorly they were often created.

Moving forward to 1906, there were the massive San Francisco fires that ended up burning many official records of the Spanish and Mexican government in Alta California where history was lost and questions remained unanswered. Including some information and newspapers regarding the Zamorano Press. (Bibliographical Society of America)