Adventure 049/101 - 21 : Mission San Francisco Solano

 










Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 049/ 101 - 21 : Mission San Francisco Solano, 21st mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two 

Date:  September 21, 2012

 Location: Sonoma

 








 
Description:

We got into Sonoma, which is where Mission San Francisco Solano is located, around 6:00pm. As we wandered around the plaza area, we were steadily moving towards the mission. We realized it would be closed, but we were hoping to get a good feel for it just the same.

Mission Solano is one of the two missions which are State Historical Parks. We suspect that because it is a place preserved, with the State's backing, you got a good feel for how it would have been 200 years ago. On the other hand, you missed the “catholicness” of the other missions, even the most run down mission there was an air of reverence when you walked inside of the chapel area. We were not able to go inside of the mission because of the hour, but we missed the sense of spirituality. One thing which we did see is on the side of the mission is a memorial naming all Native American's who were buried in the mission cemetery. This seemed so important to us that how the early missions was a protectorate for the Native Americans.

On this note, team Thing One, Thing Two have visited all 21 missions this year. This has been one of the highlights of Capture California. Visiting each mission, getting a feel for the peoples, the purpose of the mission. While the missions had a lot of flaws, it also was there to bring good to the area. In a lot of ways, it was a counter-balance to the military aspects of Spanish conquest.

From Wikipedia site:

The mission was built by the Mexican authorities as a barrier to Russia's attempts to extend control to the federal territory of Alta California.[8] During the years the Mission was active, General Mariano Vallejo resided in town. He was tasked with monitoring the activities of Russia at their nearby settlement of Fort Ross (krepost' rus'), and with establishing peaceful relations with the Native Americans of the region.[9] Vallejo helped to build the town of Sonoma and even paid for the rebuilding of the small Mission chapel. There were always soldiers and settlers in the town of Sonoma during the Mexican period. The Franciscan Fathers grew grapes and produced sacramental wine from the first vineyard in the Sonoma Valley, which was first planted in 1825. By 1834, Vallejo had the Rancho Petaluma Adobe built a few miles to the west, which became a large agricultural operation to support the Spanish military here.[10] By 1839, the Mission was in ruins and unoccupied. Through the years the Mission saw many different uses, among these a blacksmith's shop, a barn, and even a storeroom. In 1846, white American settlers took over the town in what has come to be known as the "Bear Flag Revolt." It was during this time that the Mission was sold to a man who used the chapel entrance as a saloon and stored his liquor and hay in the chapel.

From California Missions Resource Center site:

Mission Church: The current church is an authentic restoration of the 1840 church, rebuilt in 1911-13 with the support of the Historic Landmark League, which acquired the property in 1903. The last major restoration was in 1943-44. The church measures 105 feet long and is 22 feet wide.
Significant Event(s): The Bear Flag Revolt of June 14, 1846, declaring California a Republic, was staged directly across from the mission.

Interesting Facts: 

The mission was established by an overly eager padre acting without church approval.
The Sonoma Mission is the only mission established during Mexican rule of Alta California.
General Mariano Vallejo, who became Director of Colonization of the Northern Frontier in 1835, and who had control of Sonoma until the American takeover, "rescued" all the plantings from the mission vineyard after secularization and replanted the vines at his ranch.
The names of the Indian neophytes of the Sonoma Mission have been carved into a commemorative wall on the west side of the mission church.

From California State Parks site:

Founded in 1823 on July 4 by Father Jose Altimira, this historic mission is the site of the Bear Flag Revolt and the effort to establish the Republic of California in 1846. The church seen today is a parish church built in 1840; the original was mostly washed away by a tremendous thunderstorm. A small portion of the original quadrangle exists, and the world-famous Sebastiani Vineyards include much of the original mission vineyard. The annual Vintage Festival is the oldest in the state, and each year the blessing of the grapes is performed by a Franciscan priest in front of the mission. A small museum is housed in the former padres wing with a display of California mission paintings.
 20 E. Spain St., Sonoma, 95476, (707) 938-1519

Adventure 049/101 - 20 : Mission San Rafael Arcangel

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 049/101 - 20 : Mission San Rafael Arcangel, 20th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  September 20, 2012

Location: San Rafael

Description:

With its golden doors and towering steeples, Thing One thought this has got to be the most gaudiest mission. So we dutifully took out pictures. That is until we noticed a little structure off to the side. We then noticed a sign which showed the original mission layout. The glimmering church was not the mission, but the current one. The mission was the humble building to our right. Isn't that they way of God? Not to overpower, but to gently infiltrate our senses.

This mission is known as the most obliterated mission. Even our humble building is not the original, not even placed on the original location. The current buildings are rotated at a 45 degree angle from the original mission. Not a stone was left on top of each other.

Thing One and Thing Two spent some time inside the mission, contemplating the stations of the cross and the stain glass windows; taking in what we could.

From Wikipedia site:

This was one of the first missions turned over to the Mexican government in 1833. In 1840, there were 150 Indians still at the Mission. By 1844, Mission San Rafael Arcángel had been abandoned; what was left of the empty buildings was sold for $8,000 in 1846. The Mission was used by John C. Fremont as his headquarters during the battles to make California a United States possession (see Bear Flag Revolt). In 1847, a priest was once again living at the Mission. A new parish church was built near the old chapel ruins in 1861, and, in 1870, the rest of the ruins were removed to make room for the City of San Rafael. All that was left of the Mission was a single pear tree from the old Mission's orchard, it is for this reason that San Rafael is known as the "most obliterated of California's missions."

From California Missions Resource Center site:

Mission Site: 15 miles north of San Francisco at the native site of 'Anaguani. Since San Rafael was intended to be a "hospital" asistencia, a key consideration was that the location be in a sunnier and more protected environment than San Francisco, which was foggy, damp and windy. The original mission buildings were razed in 1870. In 1919 the new St. Raphael Parish Church, with an imposing tower, was built on the site of the original chapel.
Layout: No effort was made to build a full complex. The initial building was a structure that measured 87 feet in length and 42 feet in width. It contained a hospital, chapel, padre's quarters and a storage area.
Significant Event(s): San Rafael was badly damaged in an Indian attack led by Chiefs Marin and Quintin in February, 1829. Loyal neophytes saved the life of the mission padre, Fr. Juan Amoros, by hiding him in the marshes.

Interesting Facts: 

Under the able leadership of Fr. Gil y Taboada, San Rafael became California's first sanitarium.
San Rafael maintained a substantial boat building operation, since boats were required to facilitate travel across the bay.
In 1846 John C. Fremont used the mission as his headquarters during the Mexican American War
After the mission ruins were removed in 1870, all that remained of the old mission site was a solitary pear tree. In 1909 the Native Sons of the Golden West erected a bell and sign on the original site.

From California State Parks site:

This mission is located 20 miles north of San Francisco at the foot of Mount Tamalpais. It was established as a sanitarium and hospital for San Francisco neophytes suffering from depression and disease. The one padre in California who had medical training, Luis Gil y Taboado was so successful that other missions soon began sending their sick Indians. Within five years it was raised to full mission status and dedicated to the patron of health in 1817. The small church with star windows was modeled after Carmel, however the structure was torn down in 1870 to be used for firewood. Today a chapel at the site duplicates most of the original mission church.
 1104 Fifth Ave., San Rafael, 94901, (415) 454-8141

Adventure 49/101, Mission 16 - Mission Santa Clara

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 101 - 16 : Mission Santa Clara de Asis, 8th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 23, 2012

Location: Santa Clara

Description:

Considering that Mission Santa Clara is only 9 miles from where I grew up and my parents still live, you would think this would be the first mission we would have visited. But no, we had to wait until we are three-quarters of the way through the missions before we visited it for Capture California. But even so, there is a connection with our team to this mission. The Cat in the Hat, many years ago when she was in fourth grade, did Mission Santa Clara as her mission. So with this in mind, we are off to Santa Clara.

From the start, Mission Santa Clara gives a sense of positiveness and inclusiveness. The entrance station person was very friendly, giving us a two hour parking pass. The mission gives you pretty good access, even without a fee like most of the other missions do.

The front of the mission is striking, with the original 1777 cross preserved in front. The rose garden on the side has roses which were in full bloom, giving off a pleasant fragrance. On the other side is a tralis with wisteria, which is over a hundred years old. Yes the whole place reeks with age. It even has the oldest building in the west of any college/university campus. That would be the Adobe Building, built in 1822. But where the mission shines is the interior. It has the most magnificent inside of any of the missions we visited. The high ceiling with the chandeliers, the stations of the cross, while a bit high they really attract your attention, both with your eyes and with your mind. Which then turns your attention to the main purpose, to the front of the sanctuary, where you turn your thoughts upward. Isn't that the whole purpose of the sanctuary?

From Wikipedia site:

A subsequent site of the Mission dating from 1784 to 1819 is located several hundred yards west of the De La Cruz overpass of the Caltrain track; moreover, several Native American burial sites have been discovered near this subsequent site.

Initially, there was tension between the people of the Mission and those in the nearby Pueblo de San Jose over disputed ownership rights of land and water. The tension was relieved when a road, the Alameda, was built by two hundred Indians to link the communities together. On Sundays, people from San Jose would come to the Mission for services, until the building of St. Joseph's Church in 1803

From California Missions Resource Center site:

Named For: Saint Claire of Assisi, a 13th century Italian nun, cofoundress with San Francis of the Order of Poor Clares or Clares.

Mission Church: The current church is a tasteful modern interpretation of the mission's fifth church constructed in 1825. The 1825 church was completely destroyed in a devastating fire.

Mission Art: A tall cross, erected in 1777 and now in protective casing, stands across from the church entrance.

Significant Event(s): In 1851, authority for Santa Clara was transferred to the Jesuits and the old mission became the nucleus of Santa Clara University

Interesting Facts: 

A four-mile Alemeda (or four-mile long road lined with willow trees) connected the mission and the nearby pueblo of San Jose.
The bells of Santa Clara have rung faithfully each evening since 1798 by request of King Carlos IV.
Santa Clara was the first California mission to honor a female saint.
Site of the first college, and the oldest university in California, founded in 1851.

From California State Parks site:

Located on the Guadeloupe River, the log chapel was founded in 1777 by Father Serra in honor of St. Clare only three months before his death. In 1851 the work began which ultimately produced Santa Clara University as we know it today. Located about 40 miles south of San Francisco, the main garden is devoted to tree roses, a mission tradition, and the string of willows planted along the miles between the mission and the pueblo of San Jose is today a well-traveled San Jose street known as The Alameda. Some initial mission walls exist and the bell tower holds the original bells sent from Spain. The University is rich in relics of the mission with a library of notable archival material.
 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, 95953, (408) 554-4023

Adventure 49/101, Mission 15 - Mission La Purisima

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 101 - 15 : Mission La Purisima Conception, 11th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 17, 2012

Location: Lompoc

Description:

Mission La Purisima Conception is the last mission which we went to on our trip to San Diego. Being close to Mission Santa Ines was helpful. Also the mission is now a State Park. Consequently there is a very nice visitor's center, with a pretty good display for all stages of the area—from Native Americans to the CCC. The CCC had taken on the task of reconstructing the mission After it disintegrated. The job which they did made this the most complete mission reconstruction in the state of California.

So this all allowed us to spend an enjoyable and long time at this mission. First we spent 45 minutes in the museum, to get a better understanding of the area and the people. Then Thing One and Thing Two went on a hike—you can see our hikes on the blog (Hikes 55, 56, 57, and 58). This complimented the information in visitor center—the El Camino Real, the water system and the tanning vats all added to our understanding of mission life. Then we went to the actual mission area, which is a couple hundred yards from the visitor center. This was a day which the Mountain Man days (August 17 and 18). This is where volunteers come in an re-enact what life would be like. We were particularly fascinated by the person starting a fire with a bowstring, straw and wood. But we also talked with a man and his daughter-he played one of the Spanish guardsman. He talked about how the single men lived communally while the married ones had there own rooms. After three plus hours, we needed to leave after spending an enjoyable time.

From Wikipedia site:
The mission is part of the larger La Purísima Mission State Historic Park, part of the California State Parks system, and along with Mission San Francisco de Solano is one of only two of the Spanish missions in California that is no longer under the control of the Catholic Church. It is currently the only example in California of a complete Spanish Catholic mission complex.

The Viceroyalty of New Spain made an exception to the rule that no California mission was to be established within seven miles of any pueblo in Las Californias, as Lompoc was so small.

After Mexico won the Mexican War of Independence in 1823, Spanish funding ceased to the Santa Barbara Presidio. Many soldiers at the mission who were no longer being paid by the new Mexican government took out their frustrations on the local Chumash Indians. After a soldier apparently beat an Indian at nearby Mission Santa Inés, the Chumash Revolt of 1824 occurred at that mission. It spread to La Purisima Mission, where the Chumash people took over the mission for one month until more soldiers arrived from Monterey Presidio. Eventually, the Chumash lost their hold on the mission with many leaving the mission soon thereafter. However, many of the Indians who had sought refuge in the neighboring mountains during the revolt returned to the mission.

In the 20th century, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) pledged to restore the mission if enough land could be provided to convert it into a historic landmark. The Catholic Church and the Union Oil Company donated sufficient land for the CCC to proceed with the restoration. The nine buildings as well as many small structures and the original water system were fully restored with the mission's dedication occurring on December 7, 1941, the same day the United States entered World War II.

The mission is reportedly haunted by the Indians and Spaniards who died there and has recently been featured on the paranormal reality TV shows Ghost Adventures, The Othersiders and The Missions of California

From California Missions Resource Center site:
Mission Church: The mission church, which has a simple exterior, has been handsomely restored. Located as it is in an state historic park, it is not an active church.
Significant Event(s): In 1824 a revolt of the neophytes that began in Santa Ines spread to La Purisima. The rebels captured the mission and held it for about a month. In the battle sixteen Indians and one soldier died. Seven Indians were condemned to death.

From California State Parks site:

Founded in 1787 by Father Lasuen the mission is located 50 miles west of Santa Barbara. Considered to be the best example of mission architecture, it has 37 rooms that have been completely restored and furnished. Volunteers perform living history demonstrations of mission life such as candle making and weaving. In the garden area, water flows through a series of pools and a fountain before passing through the lavandareas where the mission women washed clothes. Plants were brought from the 20 other mission gardens to form one of the finest collections of early California flora in existence. Horses, cattle, burros and the four-horned Churro sheep graze in the quiet pastures.
2295 Purisima Rd., Lompoc, 93436, (805) 733-3713

Adventure 49/101, Mission 14 - Mission Santa Ines

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 101 - 14 : Mission Santa Ines

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 16, 2012

Location: Solvang

Description:

When we got to Solvang after coming in from Santa Barbara, we were looking for a place to stay as well as a chance to look at Mission Santa Ines. This was the mission which we looked at last year:

Item: 49 - Mission Santa Ines
Team: Tired 'Tirees
Date:  Sept 2, 2011
Link: Sherri and the Mission: https://picasaweb.google.com/100772251266580984847/CaptureCaliforniaFlag?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzpz4Ts59_mTg#5648222528645457698
         National Park Service Plaque:  https://picasaweb.google.com/100772251266580984847/CaptureCaliforniaFlag?authkey=Gv1sRgCMzpz4Ts59_mTg#5648222527805594002
Desc: Mission Santa Ines is in Solvang and still is an active Catholic church. In fact, while we were there, a private ceremony was being performed. The mission was established in 1804, a few years after Father SIerra's death.  The mission was named after Saint Agnes, an early Roman martyr who was known for her pure heart.

And like last year, there was an event this year—may have also been a wedding, just like last year. But we could see some of the features of the mission. Such as the rich farmland valley which the mission over looks. Or the calm beauty of the bell tower against the surrounding trees and grass area. All of these makes this mission an ideal place for gatherings, such as weddings.

We looked over the area for about 20 minutes, then rejoined our parents, ready to find a place to stay. We actually found a place, maybe 200 yards from the mission. Then took a walk through downtown Solvang. A good way to end our time at this mission and our day of missions.

From Wikipedia site:

The Mission was home to the first learning institution in Alta California[5] and today serves as a museum as well as a parish church of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

Highwayman Jack Powers briefly took over Mission Santa Inés and the adjacent Rancho San Marcos in 1853, intending to rustle the cattle belonging to rancher Nicolas A. Den, but he was defeated in a bloodless armed confrontation. He was not to be ousted from the Santa Barbara area until 1855.

The Danish town of Solvang was built up around the Mission proper in the early 1900s. It was through the efforts of Father Alexander Buckler in 1904 that reconstruction of the Mission was undertaken, though major restoration was not possible until 1947 when the Hearst Foundation donated money to pay the for project. The restoration continues to this day, and the Capuchin Franciscan Fathers take excellent care of the Mission. Today the Mission is an active parish; there is also a museum, gift shop and information center.

From California Missions Resource Center site:
Mission Art: The mission is known for its extensive collection of church vestments, which date from the 17th century through 20th century and includes a Chasuble worn by Fr. Junipero Serra and a 17th century cape crafted in materials from the Court of Louis XIV of France. The impressive mission museum includes a painting of the Archangel Raphael rendered on canvas by an Inézeño or neophyte convert of Santa Inés
Significant Event(s): The largest Indian uprising in the mission era began at Santa Inés in 1824, triggered by the excessive beating of a neophyte by a soldier.

Interesting Facts: 

The mission served a buffer against a hostile Indian group, the Tulares, who occcupied the region to the northeast.
Santa Inés was never totally abandoned after secularization, and California's first seminary / college, Our Lady of Refuge, was built in 1844 on the mission grounds.
The mission companario collapsed in 1911 and was rebuilt with five bells. It was finally restored to its original design in 1947.
Mamie Goulet, the neice of Father Alexander Buckler, devoted twenty years (1904-1924) to the restoration of the vestments of Santa Inés.

From California State Parks site:

Named for a 13 year-old Roman martyr, St. Agnes, who refused to sacrafice to the pagan gods in 304 AD, Santa Ines was dedicated in 1804 by Father Estevan Tapis. Amazingly, it survived the numerous earthquakes. The museum contains a notable collection of vestments, church records and missals, and the church displays some of the original decorations on a wall behind the altar. A historic grape arbor shelters a walkway that transports the visitor back in time, emerging in the lovely gardens that appear today much as they did nearly 200 years ago.
1760 Mission Dr., Solvang, 93464, (805) 688-4815

Adventure 49/101, Mission 13 - Mission Santa Barbara

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 101 - 13 : Mission Santa Barbara, 10th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 16, 2012

Location: Santa Barbara

Description:

Mission Santa Barbara has a beautiful view. You climb up the roads off of Highway 101, about a mile and a half. So when you get to the mission on Laguna St, you are sort of wondering when will you get there. Even with a closing time of 6pm, there was many visitor's still wandering around the premise and the parking lot was still open. So we felt very comfortable looking around the mission-but we were not able to go inside. So we climbed the steps and felt the immenseness of the chapel. We wandered the halls and felt the size. Also, the view, shows all of Santa Barbara all the way down to the ocean.

(The Father Narciso Duran is not any known relationship to us, but it is nice to dream.)

From Wikipedia site:

Many elements of the Mission's extensive water treatment system, all built by Chumash Indians' labor (including aqueducts, two reservoirs, and a filter house) remain to this day, as does a grain mill; the larger reservoir, which was built in 1806 by the expedient of damming a canyon, has been incorporated into the City's water system. The original fountain and lavadero are also intact near the entrance to the Mission. A dam constructed in 1807 is situated in the current Santa Barbara Botanic Garden up "Mission Canyon."

After the Mexican Congress passed An Act for the Secularization of the Missions of California on August 17, 1833 Father Presidente Narciso Durán transferred the missions' headquarters to Santa Barbara, thereby making Mission Santa Barbara the repository of some 3,000 original documents that had been scattered through the California missions. The Mission archive is the oldest library in the State of California that still remains in the hands of its founders, the Franciscans. Beginning with the writings of Hubert Howe Bancroft, the library has served as a center for historical study of the missions for more than a century.

Under Bishop Thaddeus Amat y Brusi, C.M., the chapel again served as a pro-cathedral, for the Diocese of Monterey and then the Diocese of Monterey-Los Angeles, from 1853 to 1876. It is for this reason that of all the California missions, only the chapel at Mission Santa Barbara has two matching bell towers. At that time, that particular architectural feature was restricted to a cathedral church.

From California Missions Resource Center site:
Prominent Missionary Leaders: Fr. Narciso Durán, who was elected Father President of the missions in 1825 and again in 1830, made Santa Barbara the chain's headquarters from 1833 to 1846.
Water Source: Water was channeled from a dam constructed in Pedragoso Creek, high above the mission. A two-mile long stone aqueduct carried water to a storage reservoir, feeder reservoir and settling tank constructed in 1806 and attributed to Indian mason Miguel Blanco of Baja California. A second aqueduct carried drinking water to the mission, its fountains and lavanderia washing facilities.
Mission Art: The mission church is filled with original and noteworthy paintings and statues, including a unique abalone-encrusted Chumash altar dated to the 1790s. The two largest religious paintings in all of the missions are at Santa Barbara. One painting, 168" high by 103" wide, depicts the "Assumption and Coronation of the Virgin." It is thought to have originated in the Mexico City studio of Miguel Mateo Maldonado y Cabrera (1695-1768) and was acquired by the mission in1798. "The Crucifixion" (168" by 126") is not attributed to a specific artist.
Special Attraction: The beautiful Moorish fountain located in front of the monastery wing, to the left of the church, was sculpted by mason and carpenter José Antonio Ramírez in 1808.

Interesting Facts: 

Under Fr. Narciso Durán the mission became the major record depository for the mission chain, a role that continues to this day.
Francisco Garcia Diego y Moreno, the first Catholic Bishop of California, resided at this mission from 1842 to 1846.
Santa Barbara is the only mission continuously operated by the Franciscans since its founding.
An Apostolic College or missionary center for California functioned at the mission from 1856 to1885, a Junior Franciscan Seminary from 1886 to1901, and St. Anthony's Seminary from 1900 to 1987.
Juana Mariá, the Lone Woman of San Nicholas Island portrayed in Scott O'Dell's Island of the Blue Dolphins was buried in the mission cemetery in 1853.

From California State Parks site:

Founded in 1786, the "Queen of the Missions" was the first to be christened by Father Lasuen, and has continuously served as a parish church for the local population since its founding. The church was destroyed in 1925 by earthquake; however, restorations have returned it to its original grandeur of wrought iron, terra cotta and carved wood. Patterned after an ancient Latin chapel in pre-Christian Rome, its twin bell towers and Doric facade present an imposing impression of strength. Located on a hilltop overlooking the city, the mission provides a spectacular view of the ocean. The museum contains a vast store of historical material and displays many original items.
2201 Laguna St., Santa Barbara, 93105, (805) 682-4713

Adventure 49/101, Mission 12 - Mission San Buenaventura

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 49/101 - 12 : Mission San Buenaventura, 9th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 16, 2012

Location: Ventura

Description:

We got to Mission San Buenaventura around 5:30 after our drive from San Diego. So we got to tour the outside of mission. From the outside, it looks like a grand place. The fountain across the street, the cleanliness of the area and the exhibits in the adjacent park all give an inviting aurora to the place.

From Wikipedia site:
Mission San Buenaventura is a Spanish mission founded by the Franciscan order in present-day Ventura, California. Founded on March 31, 1782, it was the ninth Spanish mission established in California, and the last to be established by Father Junípero Serra. Named for Saint Bonaventure, the mission is the namesake of the city of Ventura (officially "San Buenaventura") and Ventura County.
Mission San Buenaventura was planned to be founded in 1770, but the founding was delayed because of the low availability of the military escorts needed to establish the mission.

In 1893, Father Cyprian Rubio "modernized" the interior of the church, painting over the original artwork; when he finished, almost nothing remained of the old church. New priests restored the church to its original style in 1957. Today all that remains of the original Mission is the church and its garden.

From California Missions Resource Center site:
Water Source: A seven-mile-long earth and masonry zanja or aqueduct brought water from the Ventura River.
Mission Art: The high altar and its reredos orginated in Mexico and were installed when the church was dedicated in 1809. The Shrine of the Crucifixion on the left side of the church contains a four hundred-year old bulto.
Special Attraction: There is a well-landscaped garden with a fountain, stone grotto, and exterior displays on the east side of the church. The inviting mission museum (built in 1929) contains the original church doors and two original wooden bells, which were used during Holy Week when the metal bells were silent.

Interesting Facts: 

San Buenaventura was intended to be the 3rd mission, but its founding was postponed for thirteen years, and so it became the 9th mission established.
In the mission era whaling ships anchored near the mission to replenish their food lockers and trade for cured cattle hides (called Yankee Dollars).
Captain George Vancouver met Fr. Dumetz at the mission in 1793 and named Point Dume, between Point Magu and Malibu, after the friar.









From California State Parks site:

The ninth mission in the chain was founded on Easter Sunday in 1782 by Father Serra and dedicated to St. Bonaventure. It was the last mission the humble priest would christen. Restored in 1957, the facade exhibits an unusual triangular design which opens into the gardens. A museum exhibits artifacts that include two old wooden bells, the only ones of their type known in California. Situated three blocks from the ocean, the mission fronts on the main street of Ventura.
225 E. Main St., Ventura, 93001, (805) 648-4496

Adventure 49/101, Mission 11 - Mission San Diego

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 101 - 11 : Mission San Diego de Alcala, 1^st mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 14, 2012

Location: San Diego

Description:

While our Mom was visiting with our aunt, our Dad, Thing One and Thing Two went on a mission. Particularly, we went on a mission to Mission San Diego. Since we had time available to us, we went on a self-guided tour of the mission. First, there is the soldier barracks. We noticed right away how informative this tour was, explaining how the men slept, what took place and when. Next, the tour led us out to the gardens with a good view of the campanario—the bell tower. There are statues throughout the garden of priests of the past. Then on past the Pieta and a ceramic representation of the 14 stations of the cross. The mission church is next on the tour, where it is very evident that this place of worship is still in use as there is a young man in meditation and prayer in the place. These missions are still a place of awe and reverence. We continue on with our tour, through the mission museum and a La Capilla, where priests hold their special services. Finally around the plaza and back to our car.

From Wikipedia's site:

The mission was the site of the first Christian burial in Alta California. San Diego is also generally regarded as the site of the region's first public execution, in 1778. Father Luís Jayme, "California's First Christian Martyr," lies entombed beneath the chancel floor.

California Mission Resource Center:
Prominent Missionary Leaders: Most of the important early missionaries served or officiated at Mission San Diego, including Fr. Serra's closest friend Fr. Juan Crespi (in 1772). Serra's successor, Fr. Fermín Francisco de Lasuén served at this mission for ten years (from 1775-1785).
Mission Site: The mission was originally located on Presidio Hill overlooking the bay, at a location called Cosoy by the natives. The mission was relocated about five and a half miles inland at the village of Nipaguay in 1774.
Population: The neophyte population at San Diego in its peak years (1797-1831) averaged over 1,500. The highest population was 1,829, in 1824.
Mission Church: The church was originally built in 1813 (the third church on this site). It was rebuilt and fully restored in 1931.

Mission Art: The baptismal font in the museum is original to Mission San Diego. The baptismal font in the church is a replica of the one in which Fr. Junipero Serra was baptized in 1713 in Petra on the island of Majorca.

Significant Event(s): The mission was destroyed in an Indian attack in November, 1775. One of the missionaries, Fr. Luis Jaime, and two others were killed, including Urselino the mission carpenter and the blacksmith Jose Romero.

From California State Parks site:

The mission trail in California began here on July 16, 1769, when Fathers Serra, Palou and Parron dug a hole eight feet into the beachhead near the mouth of the San Diego River and planted a large cross. A bell was suspended from the limb of a nearby tree and the site was dedicated to St. Didacus. Today, the mission's own priests bless the trio of bells which ring each Sunday before mass. Bougainvillea cascades over adobe walls surrounding the gardens and California's first historic cemetery. The gardens contain centuries-old hibiscus, succulents, olive trees, citrus and avocado.

10818 San Diego Mission Rd., San Diego, 92108-2429, (619) 281-8449

Adventure 49/101, Mission 10 - Mission San Luis Rey

Capture California, the Game-2012

Adventure: 101 - 10 : Mission San Luis Rey de Francia, 18^th mission

Team: Thing One, Thing Two

Date:  August 13, 2012

Location: Oceanside

Description:

When we got to this mission, the interior was closed already and the parking lot and grounds would be closing in awhile. Still as we looked around, you got the image of what a fully restored mission should look like. Then you start wondering how the people in the late 1700's and early 1800's could construct such a magnificent building as this? Unfortunately, we could not stay and ponder more as one of the nun's was wondering what we were doing there. So we left.

From Wikipedia's site:

The original name, La Misión de San Luis, Rey de Francia (The Mission of Saint Louis, King of France) was named for King Louis IX of France.[1][2] It's 'nickname' was "King of the Missions

In July 1847, U.S. military governor of California Richard Barnes Mason created an Indian sub-agency at Mission San Luis Rey, and his men took charge of the mission property in August, appointing Jesse Hunter from the recently arrived Mormon Battalion as sub-agent. Battalion guide Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the Native American Shoshone child of Sacagawea who had traveled with the Lewis and Clark Expedition forty years earlier, was appointed by Mason as the Alcalde "within the District of San Diego, at or near San Luis Rey" in November 1847. Charbonneau resigned from the post in August, 1848, claiming that "because of his Indian heritage others thought him biased when problems arose between the Indians and the other inhabitants of the district."

California Mission Resource Center:
Prominent Missionary Leaders: Father Peyrí, who led the mission for thirty-six years. Father Peyrí was not only an energetic leader with a genial disposition, he was a talented architect and builder. When the beloved padre was forced to leave after the Mexican takeover of California, hundreds of neophytes followed him to San Diego, begging him to return

Special Attraction: The sunken garden and lavanderia (laundry), located in a hollow to the south of the mission may be reached by descending 46 fire tiled steps. Two springs provided water that sprouted from the mouths of sculpted gargoyles into the lavanderia.

Interesting Facts: The mission was the site for several episodes of the Walt Disney T.V. series Zorro in the 1950s.

From California State Parks site:

Known as the King of the Missions, San Luis Rey de Francia lies in a sheltered valley just east of Oceanside on State Highway 76. Named for Louis IX, the crusading King of France, the cross-shaped church was dedicated on the Feast of St. Anthony in 1798 by Father Lasuen. Architecturally the most graceful of California's missions, it has been restored according to the original plans and designs. Today the mission gardens include a fruit orchard where California's first pepper tree still grows. The church, which seats 1,000, is adjacent to a six-acre enclosed central square that includes a sunken garden, elaborate stone terrace and octagonal mortuary chapel.

4050 Mission Ave., San Luis Rey, 92068, (760) 757-3651