THE FIRST SOLDIERS IN CALIFORNIA

The first Spanish settlers of California were mostly soldiers. They were recruited primarily in Sinaloa. Minimum height for a soldier was five feet. Consequently, in 1790, the average height of soldiers in California was 5’1”, with the tallest soldier being 5’6”. No doubt their diminutive stature by today’s standard reflected poor nutrition.

Military records include very detailed physical descriptions of each soldier. Height, weight, skin color, hair texture and color, scars, shape of the nose and any other distinguishing characteristics were recorded. While that kind of detail seems puzzling, there was no photography at the time, and the military needed that kind of information in the event of desertion.

                                                                                    Mike Kuhn

11-30-04