Adventure 49/101, Mission 02 - Mission Santa Cruz

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 49 and 101 - 02 : Mission Santa Cruz, 12th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 6, 2012

Location: Santa Cruz

Description:

The picture above is a 1/3 to ½ replica of the original Mission Santa Cruz, close to the original site of the 1795 mission. While the original mission had 8 or 9 bells, the replica uses a modern bell—none of the original has survived. But if you look to the left of the replica, there is a building housing the Mission Santa Cruz Museum. This building originates from 1822 and was used to house new recruits to the faith.

One thing of interest—the first California autopsy was performed by one of the mission fathers in 1812 to determine if the subject had been poisoned.

From California State Parks site:

Although the soil was excellent and the location ideal, this mission never reached its potential. The dedication of Mission la Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz was made in 1791 by Father Lasuen at a site that was unfortunately located next to Branciforte pueblo, a community of ex-convicts and thieves. Shaken by earthquakes and frustrated by the influence and behavior of the colonists, the padres abandoned the mission. The chapel was eventually rebuilt to service the town that had grown up around the mission plaza, and today a half-scale replica of the 1794 Santa Cruz Mission Church sits about seventy-five yards from the original site.
 126 High St., Santa Cruz, 95060, (831) 426-5686