Hornbeck¹s talk will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Sala Room of the Andres Pico Adobe, one of the oldest homes in Los Angeles, located at 10940 Sepulveda Blvd. in Mission Hills. The program is free and open to the public.

Hornbeck, a professor of historical and economic geography, will be the guest speaker for the society¹s monthly program meeting. His presentation, "Myths and Romance of the California Missions," will focus on the development of the missions as well as the perceptions and the misperceptions of the missions¹ history.

"Contrary to popular belief, the missions were not located one days journey apart," said Hornbeck about the history of the missions.

Hornbeck is an expert on 18th and 19th century Spanish colonial institutions in California and on the American West. He has taught at the university for the past 30 years, authored more than 70 research articles and three books, and made more than 200 presentations.

For more information on the meeting, contact the San Fernando Valley Historical Society at (818) 365-7810.