California Missions

ByMs. Cardenas

Introduction to the MissionsCalifornia’s Highway 1 began as a road connecting 21 Spanish missions. You can still find signs saying “El Camino Real” (“The Royal Highway”). These missions represent the first significant arrival of non-Native Americans to California.

In addition to Christianity, the missionaries brought much more to California such as livestock, foreign plants and new industries. This was the start of the civilization we have today – but it many ways it was not created in a “civil” way. Countless Native American lives were lost.

This presentation gives a quick overview of each mission. Choose what interests you most for a project!

Map of the 21 California Missions

Mission San Diego de Alcala First mission established in

California Founded on July 16, 1769

by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Didacus

de Alcalá Oldest mission First mission in the chain

that stretches 650 mi along the King’s Highway

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

Second mission Founded on June 3, 1770

by Father Junipero Serra Named after Saint Charles

Borromeo Many people say it’s the

most beautiful mission of all

Used as headquarters for the California missions

Mission San Antonio de Padua

Third mission Founded on July 14, 1771 by

Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Anthony Native Americans accepted

padres’ beads and cloth in return for their seeds and acorns harvested

In 1773 the mission was moved to Los Robles Valley (better water supply)

Abandoned from 1882-1928

Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

Fourth mission Founded on September 8,

1771 by Father Pedro Cambon and Father Angel Somera

Named for Archangel Gabriel

Most prosperous mission, but most difficult to handle

Crowded with military (behavior problem)

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa

Fifth mission Founded on September

1, 1772 by Father Junipero Serra

Named for Saint Luis, Bishop of Toulouse

Marks geographical halfway point of the 21 California missions

Located near a valley, fed people from other missions

Mission San Francisco de Asis Sixth mission Founded on June 26, 1776

by Father Francisco Palou Named for Saint Francis of

Assisi Also known as Mission

Dolores Damp weather kept Native

Americans away More than 5,000 residents

died of the measles

Mission San Juan Capistrano Seventh mission Founded on November 1,

1776 by Father Junipero Serra

Named for Saint John of Capistrano, Italy

Called the “Jewel of the Missions”

Famous for its beautiful gardens

Oldest chapel in California

Mission Santa Clara de Asis Eighth mission Founded on January 12,

1777 by Father Junipero Serra

Name for Santa Claire de Assisi

1st mission named after a woman

Moved three times because of Guadalupe River flooding

Relocated in 1818 because of severe earthquake

Mission San Buenaventura Ninth mission Founded on March 31, 1782

by Father Junipero Serra Named for Saint Bonaventure Should have been 3rd

mission, but was postponed for twelve years

Prosperity of this mission came from irrigation, which was provided by a seven-mile aqueduct that brought water from the Ventura River

Mission Santa Barbara Tenth mission Founded on December 4,

1786 by Father Fermine Lausen

Named for Saint Barbara 1st mission founded by

Father Fermine Francisco de Lasuen

Included more than 200 rows of houses for the mission’s Native American residents

La Purisima Conception Eleventh mission Founded on December 8,

1787 by Father Fermine Lausen

Named for “The Immaculate Conception of Mary the Most Pure”

Prosperity from tireless work of Father Marino Payeras. He served for 19 years.

On December 21, 1812 a severe earthquake destroyed the mission.

Mission Santa Cruz 12th mission Founded on August 28,

1791 by Father Fermine Lausen

Named for the Sacred Cross

Criminal settlers from Mexico raided the mission’s crops and antagonized the Native Americans

Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad

13th mission Founded on October 9,

1791 by Father Fermine Lausen

Named for Our Lady of Solitude

Salinas River allowed for irrigation to grow crops, and for livestock herding

Climate pushed Native Americans away

Mission San Jose 14th mission Founded on July 11, 1797

by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Saint Joseph First of five missions built

in a 13 month period Known as location for

runaway Christianized Native Americans and hostile tribes

Served as a base for military operations for natives who resented the missionaries

Mission San Juan Bautista 15th mission Founded on June 24, 1797

by Father Fermine Lausen Named for John the Baptist Sits on top of San Andreas

Fault Earthquake destroyed the

original mission in October 1798

Mission San Miguel Arcangel

16th mission Founded on July 25, 1797

by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Saint Michael

the Archangel Filled up quickly with

Native Americans in the area

Interior adorned by Spanish artist

Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana

17th mission Founded on September 8,

1797 by Father Fermine Lausen

Also served as a church and a hospital

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia

18th mission Founded on June 13, 1798

by Father Fermine Lausen Named for Louis IX King of

France (1215-1270) Nicknamed “King of the

Missions” Largest and most populous

of all missions Building covers six acres

and the Native American population reached 2,700 at its peak

Mission Santa Ines 19th mission Founded on September 17,

1804 by Father Estevan Tapis

Named for Saint Anges Last mission founded in

Southern California, which completed the chain

Miles of flourished land that helped it flourish

1812 great earthquake destroyed half of the mission

Water brought from mountains several miles away

Mission San Rafael Arcangel 20th mission Founded on December 14,

1817 by Father Vicente de Sarria

Named for Saint Raphael the Archangel, patron saint of good health

Was originally dedicated as the sub-mission Mission Dolores

Served as a convalescent hospital for Christianized Native Americans

Mission San Francisco de Solano

21st and last mission Founded after Mexico’s

Independence from Spain Only mission founded

without prior approval from the church

Founded on July 4, 1823 by Father Jose Altimira

Named for Saint Francis Solano, missionary to the Penivian Indians

Had flourishing vineyards Father Altimira’s cruelty

resulted in revolt

Now I Challenge Youto Make a POWERPOINT

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