The Story of the Anza en Calabazas 1776 Historical Pageant

In 1976, the American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of California invited Calabasas to participate in the Re-enactment of the Anza Expedition. Camp #73, for the night of 22 February 1776, was identified as being near the Las Virgenes Creek. In subsequent years, small celebrations were held at Malibu Creek State Park by the Malibu Creek Docents at the historic Sepulveda Adobe site.

With love for the community of Calabasas, Juliana Townsend Gensley, Ed.D (1910–1999) created this pageant in 1983 and dedicated it to her husband, John F. Gensley, Jr. She also founded the Calabasas Anza Historical Association (CAHA) to present the pageant, and served as pageant producer until 1995.

Juliana dedicated her life to education. She taught every grade from preschool through graduate school and was Professor Emeritus, California State University, Long Beach. Juliana lived her entire life in Los Angeles County and was a part of the Calabasas community since 1942. She was instrumental in the start of a number of programs for children throughout California, serving as President of the National Association for Gifted Children.

The responsibilities for the pageant were passed from Juliana to her daughter Robin Gensley Mitchell. She and her husband, Don Mitchell, with help from their children and grandchildren and fellow CAHA board members Earlyn Mosher (of Soka University), “Rattlin’” Ralph Lee Moss, and Carlos and Adria Lacamara, kept the tradition alive. Our performance is dedicated to the memory of Carlos Lacamara, beloved board member, actor, and official artist for CAHA. He passed away on May 30, 2007.