Florey's Books welcomes local speaker and author Ken Miles as he discusses,
The ’Discoveries’ of the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay,Exploring the Silent Pages of History and More.
***Saturday, July 27th, 2pm-4pm***
About the presentation:
Who first “discovered” the Golden Gate and its hidden secret, the San Francisco Bay? Is this another story like Christopher Columbus’ discovery of America in 1492? Hear what Ken Miles has to say about the “discoveries” of the Golden Gate and San Francisco Bay.
For many years Ken Miles interest in Spanish explorations of early California grew as he read about and studied Native American history and cultures. As he read various accounts about early Spanish explorations in Alta California, he found there were often minor errors and omissions here and there and wondered why there were often different accounts provided for the same historical events. He found the pages of history are like pieces of a puzzle that had fallen to the floor and later reassembled, missing pieces here and there, and some pieces placed where they don’t belong. Why were some obvious chapters of history omitted? Could it be the authors preferences or biases that influenced how they viewed history, or could it be from errors or omissions when citing firsthand accounts, secondhand or thirdhand accounts? Could it be the errors made when translating notes and diaries written in older Spanish dialects (Castilian, Andalusian, Catalonian, or other dialects), or from Spanish into English?
This is an investigative study that searches for answers, an attempt to place the missing puzzle pieces where they belong. This is a story primarily about the Spanish explorers, also known as “conquistadors”, and Spanish Franciscan missionaries, of what took place, when and where and by whom. This story is also the indigenous people of coastal Alta California, Spanish ships of the Spanish Manila and China Galleon, pirates, expansion of the dreaded Russian and English empires, and possible visitations to Alta California by other non-indigenous people. Why did they all come to Alta California?
Gaspar de Portola, an aristocrat born in Spain, was selected by the King Carlos III of Spain in 1767 to be the Governor of Baja and Alta California and to lead an overland expedition to Alta California to establish presidios and missions at San Diego and Monterey, thus securing Alta California from Russian or English control. Portola led the expedition to Alta California during 1769-1770. Additional expeditions were later lead by Captains Fages, Rivera and De Anza, each to further define what Portola’s expedition missed or failed to accomplish. There are many important people covered in this story, and included in this partial list: Capt. Sebastian Vizcaino; English pirate Francis Drake; King Charles III of Spain; Viceroys Croix; Viceroy Burcareli; Visitor-General Don Jose de Galvez; Captain Fernando de Rivera y Moncada; Lt. / Capt. Pedro Fages; Capt. Batista de Anza; Lt. Gabriel Moraga; Lt. Miguel Costanso; Sgt. Jose Francisco Ortega; Father-President Junipero Serra; Padre Crespi; Padre Palou; and Padre Font.
At the top of Sweeney Ridge is the site of the National Monument commemorating the Gaspar Portola Expedition Sighting of the San Francisco Bay in 1769. This year will be the 250th year anniversary since that first sighting. Ken has read many accounts and documents that paved the way and surrounded this event, subsequent events resulting in intended and unintended consequences. This is story that should be told. Ken is ready to tell you the story and hear your thoughts.
About the speaker:
Ken has lived in Pacifica for the past 45 years. Born and raised in San Francisco, Ken Miles lived much of his early life within earshot of Ocean Beach and the sounds of the great Golden Gate foghorn. He grew up listening to fascinating tales about his ancestors who came over the Sierras by wagon train to settle the countryside of Northern California during the Gold Rush days, and about those that sailed from the Azores around the Horn to toil in the fertile fields of the Big Island of Hawaii. The adult family men serviced either in the merchant marine or Navy. It was natural then to enlist in the Navy to see the world where he experienced being a sailor in foreign ports, learned the ropes and seamanship, and received special training in the applied sciences and technical skills in radiation safety for the repair of naval nuclear reactors. This advanced training and experiences were the launching pad for his lifelong career in civilian life.
Returning home, Ken studied biology and the sciences at San Francisco State, earning a bachelor’s degree in Ecology and Systematics, and attended graduate studies in Biology, while working at UC Berkeley’s Lawrence Lab alongside researchers and physicists. Sometime later, he joined the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a radiological health and medical device investigator and specialist. His job required extensive travel around the country, Canada, Europe and Asia to inspect manufacturing facilities and to determine whether the companies’ manufacturing and testing operations, products and labeling complied with FDA and international regulations and standards. Managers and staff were interviewed, and records reviewed to determine whether the firm was following required regulations. The work of the FDA investigator involved cross-comparing written procedures, actual production and test reports, statements people made versus actions and procedure, statements to assess compliance with FDA and international requirements. After 30 years of government work, Ken retired and started a consulting business that including extensive business travel to Europe and Asia. The left side of Ken’s brain was well employed.
Now for the right side of Ken’s brain. Following the Navy, he continued traveling several years like a gypsy throughout Europe, Soviet-bloc countries, and parts of North Africa and the Middle East, staying off the beaten tourist track, yet spending enough time to visit museums to see the great arts, archeological sites, folk festivals, famous battle grounds and historic sea ports. Maps and books on history were Ken’s bibles. His lifelong hobbies include hiking, skin and scuba diving, fishing, being “on the water”, learning about early historical event and indigenous cultures, collecting Native American art and artifacts, and being involved in local environmentalist activities. Ken, along with Ferd Simon and Jan Dutton, were founders of Pacificans United to Save Our Hills (PUSH), a grass-roots group which from 1976 to 1984 worked with the community and various politicians to place Pacifica’s Sweeney Ridge into the Golden Gate National Recreation Area / U.S. Parks system.
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We hope to see you!
***Saturday, July 27th, 2pm-4pm***
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Florey's Book Co.
2120 Palmetto Ave.
Pacifica, CA 94044
(650) 355-8811
Open 10am to 6pm every day! (8pm Fridays)
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