1. California Missions By
Ms. Cardenas

2. Introduction to the Missions
California’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!

3. Map of the 21 California Missions

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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)

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Mission San Luis Rey de Francia
18th mission
Founded on June 13, 1798 by Father Fermine Lausen
Named for Louis IX King of France ( )
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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Now I Challenge You
to Make a POWERPOINT
Presentation!