The Californios co-author Ursula Carlson joined guests at Browsers Corner Book Store on Sept. 18. to discuss her historical piece.

Before the Gold Rush in the mid 1800s, Northern California was an isolated cattle frontier — home to the vibrant, Spanish-speaking, non-indigenous people called Californios.

Loss of their large ranches in the wake of the Mexican War pushed them into poverty.

Drawing on firsthand contemporary accounts, authors Hunt Janin and Carlson chronicle the rise and fall of the Californio men and women.

Carlson is a professor emerita at Western Nevada College and also serves as a Friends of the Carson City Library board member.