Imagine stumbling across California during a "La Niña" year. You'd assume the Golden State was always a lush green paradise. Phil Brigandi says that's what happened to the Portola expedition when it marched through Southern California in 1769.

"Even though they came through this area in the summer, in July, they found all the creeks and the Santa Ana River flowing very high. It was a very wet year when the missionaries first got here."

Brigandi, who wrote "Orange County Place Names A-Z," says Portola had to build a bridge over San Jose Creek. And the Spanish word for bridge is "puente." Today, you can see a modernized version of the bridge on La Puente's city seal.

(Airdate: 7/27/2008)