The Port of Los Angeles conducted free, public tours of Harbor Area Historical Sites in their Second Annual Steppin' Back in Time event. Several tour buses took sightseers on a nostalgic ride through Wilmington and San Pedro with stories about the area’s rich past including an up-close and personal view of some of the most revered historical sites. The buses made a continuous loop to allow visitors to drop by the many sites at their leisure then re-board any bus to continue their adventure. And the stop off points included:

• Drum Barracks Civil War Museum
• Banning Residence Museum
• Los Angeles Maritime Museum
• Point Fermin Lighthouse
• Fort Macarthur Military Museum
• Banning's Landing Community Center

The tour gave a taste of what this area has to offer for site seeing and history. Return visits are certainly planned for the future. Click on the pictures above or below and take a look at what we saw. Plan for this next year - it certainly is fun and while worth the time.

Last weekend was an inaugural civil war event developed by Gold Coast Festivals and Visions In Time Foundation. The event was held at the El Dorado East Regional Park in Long Beach, California. Civil War reenactment groups from all over California spent the weekend recreating one of the most important periods in American History. Visitors had a fist hand look at the sights and sounds of battle as well as the chance at involvement in living history presentations in the camps.

Click on either photograph (above or below) to be transported to images of the event. Just a reminder, I have started a history blog entitled Timelines. Currently I am working on very brief essays on Causes of the Civil War. Click on over there and take a read.

I have a new Muse and her name is Prado. Sorry for being a bit over poetic; but I always seem to leave Prado with some rather nice photographs. I hope, as you look at them, that you will agree.

The Southern California Civil War Association (SWCCA) commemorated the 145th Anniversary of the Battles of Gettysburg this year. They included the Battles of McPherson's Ridge, Round Top, Peach Orchard and Pickett's Charge. And once again the Boy Scouts were out in force during the weekend.

Enjoy the photos and as always send clarification, question and comments. They are much appreciated.

A small contingent of Mexican Californio era reenactors met at the Pio Pico State Historic Park for a day of Living History.

Visitors were treated to information and activities common to that era. They also viewed a small skit regarding the capture of Mexican Governer Alvarado by US Military.

We look forward to the growth of this and other living history days about the county.

The Vista Reenactment was held this last weekend. We had some of the very best weather for the event and the recent rains laid a brilliant green carper throughout the battlefield.