Four national heritage areas have collaborated on Anza Saga, a new Discovery Road documentary that explores the 1775–1776 expedition of Juan Bautista de Anza to California. According to an October 21 statement, the program will be made available for open broadcast on several platforms and distributed by participating heritage areas for seminars, discussion groups, and Anza Day celebration activities.
The half-hour documentary showcases the history of the Juan Bautista de Anza Trail. It features contributions from four national heritage areas that provided background materials, potential interviewees, and overarching themes. The program will become part of the ongoing Discovery Road television series, which is broadcast regularly on Weigel Television and local and regional cable television stations in Utah.
The documentary covers various historical aspects, including the role of military operations in frontier highways, as noted by retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Sherman L. Fleek. The program also explores the San Xavier Del Bac Mission in Arizona, which serves as the burial site for the only person who died during the Anza expedition, Manuela Ygnacia Lopez Penuelas. Stella Cardoza, a descendant of Lopez Penuelas, is interviewed regarding the family history.
The series also examines the significance of the Yuma Crossing and the expedition's connection to Colorado. Nick Saenz, PhD, a professor of history at Adams State University, discusses the complexities of Anza's campaign against Comanche leader Cuerno Verde. Additionally, the program highlights the National Park Service (NPS) Trails and Rails program, which offers passengers scenic rides along the historic trail.
Discovery Road producer James Nelson stated the documentary is filled with lessons about different people working together to find a better road. The production involves partnerships with the Alliance of National Heritage Areas and the National Park Service. The series travels across the American West to find historical stories, and the Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area is a partner in producing content for the television unit.
The Discovery Road programming is distributed by the National Educational Telecommunication Association (NETA). The series continues to feature history, culture, and heritage elements from various heritage groups across the West.
