GLENDALE, CA - As excavations continue in the hills north of Glendale, where a treasure trove was recently discovered, a tantalizing connection to the city's founding family has emerged. This development has transformed the dig into a historical detective story, with researchers piecing together clues from centuries past.
The Spanish Missionary's Hoard
Dr. Elena Vasquez, lead archaeologist at the site, revealed that further analysis of the artifacts has strengthened the theory that the treasure belonged to a Spanish missionary. "We've uncovered a small silver cross and several religious medallions consistent with those carried by Franciscan missionaries in the late 18th century," Dr. Vasquez explained.
The identity of this missionary remains a mystery, but historical records indicate that several Franciscan friars traveled through the area in the 1780s and 1790s. One name that has caught the attention of researchers is Fray Joaquin de la Vega, known for his extensive travels in Alta California and his detailed journals.
The Brand Family Connection
In an unexpected twist, the investigation has led researchers to take a closer look at the history of Glendale's founding family, the Brands. Leslie C. Brand, often called the "Father of Glendale," settled in the area in the late 19th century. However, new evidence suggests that the Brand family's connection to the region may go back much further.
Dr. James Chen, a historian collaborating on the project, stumbled upon an intriguing detail in the Brand family archives. "We found a letter dated 1853, written by Leslie Brand's grandfather, mentioning a family legend about a 'lost padre's gold' in the hills of Southern California," Dr. Chen revealed. "This could explain why the Brands chose to settle in this particular area."
Connecting the Dots
The research team is now working to connect the dots between the Spanish missionary's treasure and the Brand family legend. They've uncovered several compelling pieces of evidence:
1. A map fragment found among the artifacts bears similarities to a sketch in the Brand family archives.
2. Some of the coins in the treasure chest date to the 1840s, suggesting the hoard was added to or moved after the initial missionary period.
3. Leslie Brand's extensive land purchases in the area seem to follow a pattern that aligns with landmarks mentioned in old Spanish documents.
The Hunt for Fray Joaquin's Journal
The team's current focus is on locating the complete journals of Fray Joaquin de la Vega. "We believe his writings might contain coded messages or maps that could explain why this treasure was hidden and possibly reveal other sites of historical significance," said Dr. Vasquez.
Researchers are combing through archives in California missions and even reaching out to institutions in Spain for any records of Fray Joaquin's time in Alta California.
A City's Hidden Past
As the investigation unfolds, it's clear that this discovery is rewriting the history of Glendale and the surrounding area. Mayor Carlos Ramirez commented on the developments: "What started as a surprising find is turning into a journey through time. It's connecting our city's founding family to the Spanish colonial era in ways we never imagined."
The excavation site has become a hive of activity, with historians, archaeologists, and even cryptographers working tirelessly to decode the mystery. As they race to uncover the truth, the citizens of Glendale eagerly await each new revelation about their city's hidden past.
For now, the full story of the Spanish missionary's gold and its connection to the Brand family remains elusive. But with each passing day, this historical detective story inches closer to a resolution, promising to unveil a chapter of California's history long lost to time.