Program to focus on state’s early history

The Costa Mesa Historical Society is hosting a free program about early California history.

“The Banditos of California’s Early Statehood” takes place at 2:30 p.m. June 22 at the society’s headquarters, 1870 Anaheim Ave.

Society member Richard Duree, a historian and dance ethnologist, will be the featured speaker.

According to a historical society flier, the Rancho Period of California lasted “but two generations before being interrupted by the discovery of gold and the resulting immigration of gold seekers.”

California’s society at the time was destroyed, leading to a “clash of cultures,” a decade of violence and some Californians turning to outlawry, according to the flier.

Duree will discuss some of those outlaws, including Joaquin Murrieta, Solomon Pico, Jack Powers, Juan Flores and Tiburcio Vasquez.

—Bradley Zint

Twitter: @bradleyzint