Cosmopolitan Chronicle
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politan Chro Cosmo nicle VOL. IV, No. 15 San Diego, Alta California, November 18, 2009 Price: Free Diego. Juan Bandini also married Agustín Vicente an Argüello and thus became Zamorano’s brother-in-law. Zamorano Zamorano’s accomplishments in Alta California certainly earn him Renaissance Man the description of a Renaissance Man. His calligraphy was the of San Diego finest in California and was used Guire John Cleary as a model by teachers. His Historian greatest accomplishment was the California State Parks San Diego Coast District importation of California’s first printing press and the creation of California’s first books, including a small tragedy took place children’s arithmetic book in 1835. A self-portrait of Zamorano. in San Diego in 1842. A Quite possibly the first hand press that he came ashore only to die in A man came off a ship in our was utilized by him on Presdio Hill the arms of his family. Osio also harbor; an exile returning in San Diego in 1825. His other recalled that Zamorano was robbed home to die. He was Agustin accomplishments include painting, on the ship by his own companions Vicente Zamorano, one of the most architecture, poetry and even needle and that Zamorano’s gold watch and brilliant men to have served in the point designs! chain “mysteriously appeared on one governance of Mexican California. Zamorano was appointed the last of the most respected Señores Jefes.” Zamorano had come to San Diego commandant of the Presidio of San Historian George Harding believed in 1825 as the secretary of Governor Diego, but did not assume command. it was probable that Zamorano died Jose María Echeandía. Zamorano He took up exile in Mexico after the at the home of his brother-in-law, married María Luisa Argüello at triumph of Alvarado in 1838. He Juan Bandini in San Diego. Later Mission San Diego on February spent four years in Mexico and was interviews with his family stated 15, 1827. Padre Vicente Olivas, the appointed Adjutant Inspector of that he died on September 16, 1842. last Franciscan missionary to serve Alta California in the government His family recollected that he was at San Diego, acted as officiant of the newly appointed Manual such a patriotic Mexican that it was and Governor Echeandía and Micheltorena. Zamorano became ill appropriate for him to die on Fiestas Alférez Romauldo Pacheco acted on the ship taking him to San Diego Patrias. The exact location of his as witnesses. The marriage record and arrived more dead than alive grave is unknown, but quite possibly is still preserved at Mission San in 1842. Antonio María Osio wrote he was buried at the Presidio. He is claimed as an ancestor by the martial arts master Michael Matsuda and musician-performers Thom Davis and Linda Ronstadt and also includes our friends at the California Indian The first dated printing (1831) in California, signed by Juan Bandini and Manuel Victoria, Market. Perhaps his spirit still roams and printed by Zamorano. the hallways of the Casa de Bandini. www.parks.ca.gov/oldtownsandiego.