One of the most famous early love stories of the Bay Area actually transpired here at the Presidio of San Francisco in the late 18th century. Despite language barriers and contrasting cultural backgrounds, a young Spanish girl and a Russian explorer fell in love and spawned a legend that continues today.

Born February 19, 1791 on the Presidio of San Francisco, Maria de la Concepcion Marcela Arguello (often simply referred to as Concepcion), was the daughter of Presidio Comandante Don Jose Dario Arguello and Maria Ygnacia Moraga. Concepcion grew up with her family in the Comandante's quarters, which is now known as the Officers' Club.

On April 8, 1806, Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov, Chamberlain of Tsar Alexander I of Russia, sailed into the Bay of San Francisco aboard the Juno, a vessel sent from the struggling fur-trading Russian settlement at Sitka, Alaska. The Russians were in desperate need of supplies and provisions for their starving settlement. Comandante Arguello was visiting Monterey and his son, Don Luis, was in temporary command. He gladly welcomed the Russian soldiers to the Presidio. The language barrier complicated matters, but the German doctor on board the ship, Georg Heinrich von Langsdorff and the Presidio's Franciscan Father Uria were able to converse in Latin. Von Langsdorff later commented on the kind hospitality he and his fellow soldiers received when welcomed as guests of Comandante Don Jose Arguello at the Presidio for a month and a half: "Their simple, natural cordiality captivated us to such a degree that we forthwith desired to become acquainted with each individual member of the family, and to learn the name of each one, having at once formed a strong attachment for them."

Concepcion was not overlooked during the visit. Rezanov's main mission was to establish a barter system for grain and provisions for Sitka - he was not very successful, as the Comandante and governor would not allow trade. Reznanov, however, was successful at catching the eye of fifteen year old Concepcion. Von Langsdorff wrote of Concepcion's attractiveness in his journal: "She was distinguished for her vivacity and cheerfulness, her love-inspiring and brilliant eyes and exceedingly beautiful teeth, her expressive and pleasing features, shapeliness of figure, and for a thousand other charms besides an artless natural demeanor." Von Langsdorff went on to detail Rezanov's interest in Concepcion: "The bright sparkling eyes of Dona Concepcion had made upon him a deep impression, and pierced his inmost soul." Concepcion quickly grew enamoured with Rezanov as well. A later pupil of Concepcion recalled, "How she loved him and how they planned for a life of love and happiness in far-off Russia." The two spent the weeks they had together exploring around the Presidio and the Bay Area in addition to planning their future lives in Russia.

Rezanov proposed to Concepcion and noted the response: "My proposal shocked her parents, raised in fanaticism - the difference in religion and the future separation from their daughter were like a thunder clap to them." The Arguellos warmed up to the idea, but the religious differences worried them. It was agreed that Rezanov would head back to St. Petersburg in order to gain consent from the Russian emperor and the Pope for the mixed Russian Orthodox and Roman Catholic wedding.

Von Langsdorff did note in his journal further incentive for the union: "…A close bond would be formed for future business intercourse between the Russian American Company and the provincia of Nueva California. He [Rezanov] therefore decided to sacrifice himself, by wedding Dona Concepcion, to the welfare of his country and to bind in friendly alliance Spain and Russia." During this period, Russia and Spain were vying for control of the Northern Pacific Coast. Rezanov felt that a marriage to the Spanish Comandante's daughter could prove politically beneficial between Russia and Spain.

On May 21, the Juno sailed out of the San Francisco Bay towards Sitka as the Arguello family and new friends bid Rezanov and the other soldiers farewell from the shore. This would be the last time dear Concepcion would ever see her beloved Rezanov.

During his overland attempt to reach St. Petersburg, Rezanov caught pneumonia three times. Each time he failed to allow himself to heal completely before beginning his journey again. During his third relapse on March 1, 1807 in Krasnoyarsk, ill with a fever, he fell from his horse and died. Concepcion, however, waited patiently for her true love to return. She was left struggling with doubt - troubled thoughts of tragedy or disloyal love. It was not until five years later that Concepcion learned from an officer of Rezanov's, "He is dead…His last words were of you." This young officer returned the locket that Concepcion had given to Rezanov prior to his trip. With this, Concepcion turned to the care of others for consolation. She looked after her parents, and became involved in charity work throughout California and even Guadalajara. Her family encouraged her to get married and it is rumored she had many suitors. She dedicated herself to religion and God instead, joining the Dominican sisterhood in Benicia until her death in 1857.

Concepcion Arguello's grave site in Benecia, California.

This romanticized tale of tragic love has captured the hearts of authors, painters, and historians throughout the centuries. Speculation about the possible political significance of such a union between Rezanov and Concepcion leaves one to ponder how this may have altered history. Though we will never know what could have been, the Presidio provided the set that staged this early love story of fateful broken hearts.

Langelier, J.P., and Rosen, D.B., 1992. El Presidio de San Francisco: A History under Spain and Mexico, 1776-1846

Richard A. Pierce (editor), 1998. The Romance of Nikolai Rezanov and Concepcion Arguello/the Concha Arguello Story (Alaska History, No 48), The Limestone Press.