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Gaspar de Portola

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The Resume

    (January 1, 1716-1786)
    Born in Os de Balaguer, Spain
    Gaspar de Portola i Rovira
    Viceroy/colonial administrator to New Spain
    Commander of the Portolà expedition (1769)
    First governor of Upper California
    Established San Diego and Monterey

Why he might be annoying:

    He clashed repeatedly with Father Junipero Serra.
    In establishing the Franciscan mission, he disrupted Indian society and facilitated epidemics of smallpox and other diseases.
    On his second expedition, his group reached the Bay of Monterey in early autumn - but he wasn't aware of it and so they pressed onward as far as San Francisco Bay before turning around.
    On the grueling march back to San Diego in January 1770, food was so scarce his men were forced to eat their own mules to stay alive.

Why he might not be annoying:

    After 30 years of service in Europe, he rose to the rank of captain.
    He founded the presidio and mission of Carmel after reaching Monterey.
    He was chosen governor of the city of Puebla, in 1776, and he served in that post for eight years.
    He was portrayed by Anthony Quinn in the film, 'Seven Cities of Gold.'
    He was described as well-liked throughout Baja California.
    He led the first extensive exploration by land from San Diego to San Francisco, naming many points along the way.

Credit: BoyWiththeGreenHair


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2023, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 5 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying