Donner Party Graves & Vertigo movie locations in San Juan Bautista

Рет қаралды 23,937

3 жыл бұрын

Jeff will visit San Juan Bautista near Monterey, California, where the largest collection of graves of Donner Party survivors are located. Patrick Breen, who wrote the diary during the ordeal in 1846-47, and his family members are buried here.
He will also visit the historic Plaza in town where the Mission is located as well as buildings used by Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak for filming of the Alfred Hitchcock film, "Vertigo."
#DonnerParty #Vertigomovie #HistoryHunters
We would love to have you subscribe to our channel! If you love our program and feel led to support us financially, we are accepting PayPal payments at j.benziger@sbcglobal.net
Other Donner Party related videos in our collection include:
Grave of Donner Party survivor Elitha Donner
• Grave of Donner Party ...
Searching the Donner Party's final campsites
• Searching the Donner P...
Donner Party Survivor's Grave & Jamestown Home
• Donner Party Survivor'...
Donner Party murder in Nevada Desert & Reno Camp Site
• Donner Party murder in...

Пікірлер: 280

@76calidude 3 жыл бұрын

Love that town..had first date with (now wife), there at Mission. Had dinner at Jardine's...that was 10 years and 2 kids ago...love it

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Congratulations! Did you move away from San Juan Bautista?

@76calidude 3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy Hey Jeff.....actually no, my wife was from Salinas and I was living in Los Banos...so that was a perfect meeting point for us.

@pjn931 2 ай бұрын

Hi there, I'm Patrick Breen's great great great great grandson. I grew up in Hollister and I'm very proud of my family's history, thanks for the cool video!

@jbenziggy 2 ай бұрын

That is awesome! A very noteworthy California family and legacy!

@HollywoodGraham 3 жыл бұрын

A good reminder of the hardship and tragedies that early pioneers suffered. Thanks for reminding us.

@ackcaveman6630 3 жыл бұрын

I miss Huell Howser. Great video and thanks for mentioning him.

@originalredneckgirl 3 жыл бұрын

LOL my dad used to do the same graveyard joke on me, and the train tack joke, every time we seen a train track he would say, "A train just went through here , you know how I know?" .. How dad?.. "It left its tracks"

@AB-ye7bw 3 жыл бұрын

Hah !, Great Dad Joke 😂

@FetchTheSled 3 жыл бұрын

I went to middle school in Riverside California with a kid named Greg Donner. He said he was a descendent of the Donner party family. Nice kid.This was about 1976.

@mikeseier4449 3 жыл бұрын

I hope he didn't invite you to sit with him at lunch....

@lifewithjosef 3 жыл бұрын

I worked with a gal with the Donner last name and she said she was a descendant of the Party

@carlosherrera-nu9ct 3 жыл бұрын

went there in forth grade w burbank elementary modesto city schools...it was my first experience outside the ghetto of modesto.. i had a blast...great video

@lindsaymacpherson8782 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing story with all the history to it you have added. Great video Jeff enjoyed it very much Thankyou

@johnrambo7630 3 жыл бұрын

Tons of good info in this video. Scenery, history, host...all enjoyable!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you very much for that great comment!

@lornahardin4563 3 жыл бұрын

Terrific! Love the Donner history. Thanks Jeff.

@joelhurley2678 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeff for the great story as usual and the Donner party was always one of my interests as a boy. I met Jimmy Stewart as a teenage boy in the 1980s when I lived in Dearborn Michigan. He had donated a replica plane of Charles Lindbergh's that was used in the movie he protrayed Lindbergh. Mr. Stewart used to come to the Henry Ford Museum to sit with his wife and look at the plane. I was 16 in 1984 and sat down next to him to say "Hi". He was a very nice person and his wife was very sweet.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

I am so sorry that I never got to meet Mr. Stewart! You are lucky! He seemed like a prince of a man! A great patriot too!

@jupite1888 3 жыл бұрын

Keep Em coming , Excellent!!!

@lisaburns1660 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, what a great tour! Thank you!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Happy to hear, Lisa! I appreciate it!

@gerrymaitland9799 3 жыл бұрын

Very informative. Love the drone shots. I have backpacked in the Donner Lake area. Very pretty area...

@markfaylor 3 жыл бұрын

I remember learning about the Breen Family on a field trip to Sutters Fort when I was a youngster, no idea they settled in San Juan. Great video!

@granthryze2694 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing how dry it is. Looks like a desert cemetery. Going to be another brutal summer. Very interesting history !

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it has already been a brutal summer. Today it’s supposed to get 108° where we live.

@fouraces1949 3 жыл бұрын

We’re in a drought

@joekeiser6221 3 жыл бұрын

Always enjoy your videos involving the donner party. Top notch. That famous picture of Patrick Breen is powerful. Looks like a man who wouldn't put up with trivialities.

@jasonsmith7338 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another great chunk of our history that I sadly was unaware of. Everyone talks about those that died in the Donner party, but you're the only one honoring the memory of those who survived that brutal ordeal. Keep up being awesome!

@drghg 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks again for a most informative program on California historyl I taught school in Santa Ana for some 30 years, and missions were a large part of my lessons. I only wish I had had your program to help the kids understand our history . Thanks again !!

@IsaacCloud 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome to see my hometown pop up on my feed. Hello from Northern Kentucky!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Amazing! What is your hometown?

@IsaacCloud 3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy I grew up in San Juan Bautista, CA but moved to the Cincinnati area (just across the river in Northern KY) about 9 years ago for work. I love your videos. I get to learn a ton about places in CA that I never even knew about. Great stuff!

@bobpeckinpaugh2550 3 жыл бұрын

Your stories just keep getting better and better and better. Thanks for all you do. Bob from Ohio. (Flat farmland)

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

From one flat farm lander to another thanks a bunch!

@frankcasey7423 3 жыл бұрын

Wow, that is one big family! Interesting backstory of what became of some of the people at the Donner pass incident. Very interesting! And I always love the way you you show the “now” and “the way it use to look” shots or video when you can. Great job with the editing you put into the all the work you do! In grade school I had a classmate with the name of Kim Novak too! Funny side note :) Thank you for the great video and I’ll see ya guy’s on the next one! Take care now! Frank from Philadelphia, PA.

@harolynallison485 Жыл бұрын

This is real American history, and well researched, this story has always interested me

@lynnmccurdythehdmmrc2561 3 жыл бұрын

The part inside the bell that hits against the outer bell is called a "Clapper".

@lindsaymacpherson8782 3 жыл бұрын

Much better then what Jeff called it :)

@davejohnson3684 3 жыл бұрын

Made of copper so it's a "Copper Clapper". Claud Cooper stole it..(Jack Webb- Johnny Carson routine)

@alanatolstad4824 3 жыл бұрын

How many of us were hoping to provide him with the word he was looking for...!

@tractorhyatt7044 3 жыл бұрын

Another enjoyable video, thank you Jeff and Sarah! 🇺🇸🚜👍

@unbiasedobserver 3 жыл бұрын

I loved all the information in this video. It was fun seeing Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak back in the day! Thanks Jeff and Sarah! Hope Sarah feels better soon. We miss her!🤗

@DALEf4u 3 жыл бұрын

Back in February of last year, before the lockdown, I took a trip up to northern Cal. We toured Sutters Fort in Sacramento. They had Patty Reeds doll on display. She was an 8 year old survivor of the Donner Party.

@michelleserrano6115 3 жыл бұрын

Great video... My husband and I are from Hollister and San Juan. Great info. 👍

@rhondaz356 3 жыл бұрын

This was so FANtastic, Jeff. One can only imagine the horrific circumstances. I love it when you insert evidence, such as the diary, from the time period. That cemetery is so interesting. The history of that town... ☀️👏

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

I appreciate your nice compliment. I’m assuming FANtastic is better than plain fantastic? LOL

@rhondaz356 3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy ABSOLUTELY 👏🌞

@leahreposa4599 3 жыл бұрын

another interesting tour via Jeff! Thanks!

@bettyfourman5438 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks for another winner Jeff. I enjoyed it.

@steveflaim2656 3 жыл бұрын

I had a grammar school teacher in San Jose whose last name was Breen. I guess probably related.

@wyattearpp9540 3 жыл бұрын

Sunday morning, cup of Joe and History Hunters.....😄

@Foreverbunuel 3 жыл бұрын

You my friend are carrying Huell Howser’s torch for us old timers who appreciate the slower paced scenic life. Much love and appreciation.

@lifewithjosef 3 жыл бұрын

Another excellent video, thanks Jeff and Sarah.

@miqsh70 3 жыл бұрын

It’s my favorite small town in the area, super cute :)

@michaelgmoore5708 Жыл бұрын

I love the really old graves as far back as the 1700s. The markers are amazing.

@michaelgmoore5708 Жыл бұрын

I don't see Sarah yet, there are a few animals there for her!

@timswanger3547 3 жыл бұрын

Love San Juan Bautista. Watched Vertigo again after we went there. My dad moved from Modesto and retired to Alta, which is very close to Donner pass. I really love the California history you present. Next time I’m in modesto visiting family I’d love to meet you two and buy you lunch.

@hoss6048 3 жыл бұрын

I read a book called “The Best Land Under Heaven”. Fascinating account of before during and a bit after the ordeal.

@jokeroneninesevenzero 3 жыл бұрын

I also read that book. It was good. Ironically I was reading it last year when we first went into lockdown. And as I was reading about the hardships of being trapped, I thought it was funny how people were complaining about having to stay inside their houses.

@webchuck1 3 жыл бұрын

Hello History Hunters, Thanks so much for sharing another great video and remembering the lives of the Donner Party. Learning history can never be wrong. Thanks for what you do "Happy 😊Day!

@minerscampkoipond6999 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting town . Thankyou for sharing this history ...

@MrsJHarrington 3 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent video. I can tell the history is very well researched, and I have learned things about the Donner party I didn’t know before.

@cindykdelk7604 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video, but I sure miss Sarah! Hope she is feeling ok.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Sara wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to leave the car. We were parked in the shade for her though. She is quite the trooper.

@cindykdelk7604 3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy I can understand that! We are melting here in N Cali and it is adding to the misery of my chronic aliments. I know Sara has health challenges too. Maybe you can get her to pop in and say hi during next week's episode. Your videos are the highlight of my Sunday mornings!

@tresilewis5925 3 жыл бұрын

Love the history and diversity of your videos. You produce great work, even with the limited, lockdown locations. Thanks for your time.

@brookeshaffer4377 3 жыл бұрын

It is so very hard to fathom being put into the position of making such an excruciating decision in order to preserve you own life😔 Another excellent production of what our forebears had to confront in these times. Thank you Jeff for keeping these stories and all the others alive in our consciousness in these present times.

@catdonohoe7907 3 жыл бұрын

Brilliant video.its amazing the amount of irish buried over in America.loved.the history of this .thank you.lots of love from ireland❤❤

@harrisonmantooth3647 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeff for sharing another informative video with us. While driving to Monterey on Hwy 152, I never took the time to alter our course and visit San Juan Batista's many historical sites. My bad. I'd love to be able to go back in time and revisit the area. Again, thanks for sharing this episode with us. By the way, we're missing Sarah, please share our sentiments with her. Stan

@mikelaughlin4789 3 жыл бұрын

Excellent as always, love old California history. Never tire of Vertigo, a real classic.

@stevenblevins8113 3 жыл бұрын

You Jeff are just awesome great job. I had forgot about California gold watched everyone back in the day, you are still a better story teller. " you are the History Hunter"

@speshul7525 3 жыл бұрын

Absolutely incredible. Thank you. I walk the grave stones when I visit my relatives, each stone equal a great story

@fountainbiker 2 жыл бұрын

Amazing information Jeff, we enjoyed this show immensely!

@MCW1955 3 жыл бұрын

Another home run! Bravo! So much history and love the movie snippets. Thanks.

@keesvandijk5621 3 жыл бұрын

Good video Jeff. Greetings from the Netherlands, Europe

@lynnann6334 3 жыл бұрын

You never disappoint. The Donner party stuff fascinates me. Love your channel.

@elenaperez6294 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this very informative video. I lived in San Juan Bautista and in that same church I did my first communion and had my 8th grade graduation ceremony. I just loved growing up there. Such a wonderful little town.

@privatepilot4064 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Jeff! Enjoyed the video!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful … thanks very much. 😃

@Carolina_Tripping 3 жыл бұрын

Always looking for new videos from you. You're the best..

@johnb.carpenter6862 3 жыл бұрын

Great episode. Seeing the graves helps to bring to reality. It was a terrible thing that happened to the Donner’s , but it’s weird how they were celebrates after. Did you run across anything about the Bixby’s? The Bixby’s were sheep ranchers and partners with the Hollisters. The Bixby family story is interesting.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

We were only concentrated on the Breens and finding Mr. Hodgdon for our video. Sorry about that.

@dawnandjill 3 жыл бұрын

♥️. We love y’all!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Great! We love our viewers too!

@Slick2462 3 жыл бұрын

Another entertaining and informative effort! Thanks for taking me along, Jeff .😊👍

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

@unnecessaryroughness4681 3 жыл бұрын

You capture amazing footage of the current buildings and then overlap old films when they used in famous movies. I love it! Fantastic work Jeff!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much! We try to do this whenever possible!

@melissajensen3166 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Love the history.

@dotell3359 3 жыл бұрын

Fantastic as always. Thank you 😊

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you. I like that “fantastic” summation. Much appreciated.

@philipcollins5440 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting and I always learn so much more than I ever knew. Thanks 😊👍

@johnshaft5613 3 жыл бұрын

Another great video. You definitely have a knack for coming up with content that is of interest to me personally. Back in the mid 80's I was fascinated with "Vertigo" and I went with my then girlfriend on a two day trip checking out all the filming locations, you know, Fort Point, Mission Dolores, assorted other SF sites, and San Juan Bautista. I remember being seriously disappointed that the mission tower from the movie didn't actually exist. In retrospect, I should have known, as it is pretty obvious in the film that the tower was just a matt painting....but I didn't realize it until we got there. But in all other ways, the mission and surrounding buildings are pretty timeless, and look exactly the same now as they did in 1986 and in 1958.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you! So much of California has changed since I was a boy. I guess with more people means less intimacy and more streamlined everything. What you could do in 1960 you can’t do today. More people, more wrongdoing and more rules. At times it feels like we are devolving not progressing. Fortunately some spots look the same, like this town. May it stay that way!

@johnshaft5613 3 жыл бұрын

@@jbenziggy Exactly. California used to be a paradise. But now there are places I loved as a kid that I simply will no longer visit for any reason....like the entire city of San Francisco. Without delving into politics, I will say that only part of the negative change is due to increasing population. But the state doesn't "have" to have changed for the worse anywhere near as much as it has.

@dannasilva9079 3 жыл бұрын

Visited San Juan Bautista many a time as a kid. We would bring a picnic and sit on the grass in the courtyard there! Thanks for the memories

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! Glad you liked this!

@wallypaul1431 3 жыл бұрын

Good one jeff love the donner party story and you tell it well

@pamelakern2849 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderfully done ! As usual I enjoyed every minute ☺ 👍

@MrsElena-vx6gq 3 жыл бұрын

I pass through here on my way to the beach a few times a year and I’ve always wondered about that little cemetery.

@vonwebber7852 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff and Sarah for another trip into the past. Been along time the last time I passed through there. We took one of our boys there for a school paper on the California Missions. I have to tell you, this last week, one of my young co-workers and I were talking about the Loveland, CO Cemetery, and I asked him how many people were dead in that cemetery, and I got him! All of them! My father in law has used that on us and his grand kids for years. We were cracking up when you said it! Nice job as always. Your videos keep the past alive.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Glad I made you laugh! Thanks for watching and commenting about this excursion in San Juan Bautista.

@frankmarullo228 3 жыл бұрын

Another good video your videos get better with everyone. Thang both of you guys Frank from montana...

@grandprixdriver 3 жыл бұрын

Another great episode!

@Smitty54 3 жыл бұрын

I can only imagine how miserable they had it, watching from Ohio great job Smitty out 🙃👏👏👏👏

@mikes3174 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome! Thanks for all the hard work!!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! Thanks for watching!

@stevemccoy8138 3 жыл бұрын

Gotta ✔️ out San Juan Bautista,been by there many times but never stopped. Lots of History right there. Our Mission at San Miguel is in terrible shape,I hope the missions are fixed up soon. Thanks for the video . 🇺🇸

@johnnyvonmountbatten 3 жыл бұрын

Always learning something new from you keep up the great work

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful to hear! Thanks Johnny!

@billyedwards6101 3 жыл бұрын

Very interesting history thanks for opening my eyes...I've been to the area but not there. Incredible history. Thanks again.

@JMVideos7676 3 жыл бұрын

Another great history lesson. Have you ever done a video on the famous people buried at Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in San Diego? I was visiting the Cabrillo Monument at the tip of Pt. Loma and then drove through the Fort Rosecrans Cemetery in awe of its beauty and history.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Nope we haven’t been to the cemetery you mentioned in San Diego.

@ghosttgirl9805 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video, very interesting about the Donner party, those poor people they suffered so much, RIP, sweet friends.

@dafyddr8678 3 жыл бұрын

Great video. Always enjoy your history runs ..

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, sir! It’s appreciated!

@shigella63 3 жыл бұрын

Another great job, Jeff! Keep up the great videos!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Good to hear from you again! And thank you so much!

@randybrown6795 3 жыл бұрын

Hey Jeff great video that's a beautiful place I think the history of the donner party is interesting I really enjoy your videos you and Sara are awesome randy from Kentucky.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Wow thanks Randy! So generous a comment! I really appreciate that!

@giggles8458 2 жыл бұрын

Very nice, thank you for the tour.

@jbenziggy 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks!

@bthemedia Жыл бұрын

Great history, thank you!!!

@heatherkay5924 2 жыл бұрын

Great video, enjoyed. Lovely old Mission! 😎

@jbenziggy 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks Heather!

@jimschrader4758 3 жыл бұрын

Love the history you share cool stuff

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thanks very much, Jim!

@victorcontreras9138 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Great factual video. Keep up the good work.

@aulii11 3 жыл бұрын

Another especially interesting episode for me. An ancestor on my mother's side of the family, Laura S. (Lenhart) Breen was the wife of Peter Breen, grandson of Patrick and Margaret. I've never been to San Juan Bautista, but this episode has definitely piqued my interest - thanks for doing what you do!

@janisoconnor6881 3 жыл бұрын

I remember hurl show very well because my mom and dad were fans. Good show.

@Ravelinn 2 жыл бұрын

Thank you Again for another Great history hunt...Kind Regards

@jbenziggy 2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

@patriciawarner1274 3 жыл бұрын

Many years ago I lived in Reno and would make numerous trips up to Donner Lake and Alder Creek where they were trapped. Beautiful area.

@KelseyDunlevy Жыл бұрын

Super cool to see the actual locations spliced with a Hollywood movie. Fascinating history of the Breen family.

@jbenziggy Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the great comment!

@anthonyhudson8383 3 жыл бұрын

Enjoyed Huelll's show alot. Enjoy your channel also. Keep up the good work!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you so much. It’s too bad that Huell passed away too soon. I never got to meet him but we did talk by phone and he was a really nice guy.

@moshe8927 3 жыл бұрын

Hello J&S.. Great video 👍👌 Thanks!

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Wonderful! Thank YOU for the watch and nice words!

@Liz-cmc313 2 жыл бұрын

Very interesting stories. I enjoyed this.

@betsyh2503 3 жыл бұрын

Another good one! Very interesting history.

@jbenziggy 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you Betsy!

@jamesminear2336 2 жыл бұрын

Very very interesting!! I have traveled through there many times for work and was unable to stop... so glad you were able to do this video as I had no idea that survivors of the Donner Party made it there and made it their home.. I guess I just thought they all stayed around the Sacramento area once rescued. Again another great video.. oh and I heard that some people don’t like the music you add... I for one LOVE IT!!