Much is written of our Native American forebears, Lewis & Clark and westward expansion, British  and Canadian exploration and settlement, and the early presence of Russians in the region.  Less attention seems to be paid to the early Spanish explorers who pre-dated Lewis and Clark, lending their names to many present-day Washington place names.

The story of Spanish exploration, including a short-lived settlement at Neah Bay, was the fascinating narrative told by scholar, anthropologist and lecturer Leoncio Cerretero  at the state Capitol on Friday.  The lecture was sponsored by Secretary of State Sam Reed, Lt. Gov. Brad Owen and the Spanish government.  Musician and Renaissance scholar Tomas Lozano, a native of Barcelona, sang and performed on period instruments. Luis Fernando Esteban, honorary consul of Spain, brought greetings from the government of  Spain.

Cerretero, a native of  Toledo, Spain, described the Pacific Coast voyages of exploration from Mexico to Alaska in the 18th Century, with emphasis on the coastal and inland waters of the Pacific Northwest.