Eureka!: California History Sunshine Sierra

Welcome to the very first episode of Eureka! (I’m so excited! Brace yourselves for WAY too many exclamation points!)

I wanted to start us off with a topic that was perfectly, inarguably, quintessentially “California”… and there’s nothing more “California” than our iconic state bear flag!

When I started researching this topic, I honestly figured it would be a 5-minute introductory episode to get me warmed up in the podcasting game. Who knew that the history of the bear flag involved a kidnapping-turned-wine-tasting, a bet with William Randolph Hearst, and a relative of President Lincoln?

As promised, I have a few visuals to go along with the episode! Behold, friends… {cue dream sequence}…

First off, the Todd flag, designed by William L. Todd, cousin of future first lady Mary Todd Lincoln- widely considered to be the very first version of our California state bear flag!

Image courtesy of California Museum.

Tell me I’m not crazy. Does W. Todd’s “grizzly bear” not bear striking resemblance (sorry, pun intended) to a Rodent of Unusual Size from The Princess Bride movie? My husband thinks it looks like a capybara. I can’t argue with that.

Since we’re having fun being catty about flags (something I never thought I’d write), how about The Pico Flag?

Image courtesy of MilitaryMuseum.org

Apologies for the picture quality, but OMG. I friggin’ love that Pico flag.

I also really love Monarch the grizzly bear, although I wish he could’ve lived out the rest of his majestic bear life in the wild.

Image courtesy of monarchbear.org.

Oh, Monarch, you magnificent beast. RIP, Big Fella.

And a bonus gift! Allen Kelley’s book “Bears I Have Met,” where he describes his relationship with Monarch. (The title alone, you guys.)

Image courtesy of monarchbear.org.

THIS. I want our Christmas card this year to have an “Allen Kelly ‘Bearhunter'” motif.

And finally, now that you’re all hopped up on California state pride, I’ve got a whole bunch of my most favorite bear flag themed goodies pinned on our Pinterest page (@eurekacahistory). Hoodies and coasters and car decals, oh my! Here are a few to whet your proverbial appetite. (I don’t get any kickbacks from these links… I just love the items!)



Like this wall art made out of an old wine barrel, from eWoodArtCarvings on etsy.

Or this perfectly adorable grocery tote, from LesFugitives on etsy.



The coolest hand-painted welcome mat, from NickelDesignsShop on etsy.



And Baby Leggings! For a baby shower gift that doesn’t suck, from BabalusByLucy on etsy.



That’s it, gang. Join me next time for another chapter of California history (and ooooh, it’s a GOOD one! I’m bursting at the seams to tell!).

Keep learning,