Early California’s Settlers
William Islas and
Dennis Carlos
Date and Time
Sunday, March 22, 2026
1:30PM-3:00PM
Topics
William “Bill” Islas
William “Bill” Islas has been portraying Don Juan Bautista de Anza II for the National Park Service at events and parades in the Southwest and California since 2010. This portrayal is particularly meaningful because Bill is a direct descendant of the 1775-1776 Anza Colonizing Expedition. His sixth great-grandfather, Jose’ Joaquín de Islas, played a significant role in the expedition as the alcalde (mayor) and militia commander of San Miguel de Horcasitas, Sonora. This town was the official starting point of the expedition, and Jose’ Joaquín contributed five soldiers and various supplies to the effort.
The family connection to the Anza lineage continued when Jose’ Joaquín’s son, Teodoro de Islas, married Ana Maria de Anza, who was the daughter of Juan Bautista de Anza’s brother, Francisco de Anza. Because Juan Bautista de Anza and his wife, Ana Maria Pérez Serrano, had no children, their modern-day descendants are actually from the Anza-Islas family line.
Dennis Carlos
Dennis Carlos is an accomplished artist, historian, and living history reenactor with over two decades of experience. He currently serves as President of the California Division of the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historical Trail Color Guard, under the National Park Service. In this role, Dennis leads efforts to present engaging and educational programs that illuminate the military, tribal, social, and political dimensions of the Anza Expedition. The Color Guard is dedicated to sharing this history as accurately and authentically as possible, enriching public understanding at local, regional, state, and national level.
The speakers, dressed as members of the Anza Expedition will bring to life the daily experiences of what life was like on the trail of over 1,000 miles from Tubac, Sonora, New Spain (now, Arizona) to San Francisco in what was then “Alta California.” Attached is the National Park Service website link with more information about the expedition.
Program Schedule
1:30PM – Arrival and light refreshments
Heritage Bites: Culinary Echoes of Anza Trail Foods
Prepared by Farm Dinner Los Angeles
2:00PM–3:00PM – Presentation with Q&A
Admission
Free with reservations
Space is limited
Location
San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino Del Avion
San Juan Capistrano, 92675
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