USA > California > Los Angeles County > Ingersoll's century history, Santa Monica Bay cities prefaced with a brief history of the state of California, a condensed history of Los Angeles County, 1542-1908 > Part 5
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Father Luis Martinez labored long SAN LUIS OBISPO DE TOLOSO. and earnestly for the welfare of this mission. He learned the Indian language and gave assistance, both to the troops and to other missions. Squirrels and locusts were extremely troublesome, and one crop was entirely eaten up by mice. In the inventory taken 1836, an item is made of the library and musical instruments, $519, and the total valuation was given at $70,779. On September 10th, 1842, Governor Alvarado ordered the lands divided among the neophytes; and two years later the mission was formed into a pueblo. It was sold the following year (1845) to Scott, Wilson & McKierey for $510. However, Governor Mason ordered the property returned to the Catholic church.
The mission church is located near the business center of San Luis Obispo, county of the same name, and it is in a good state of repair, being used, as it is, as the parish church.
SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS.
Mission San Francisco de Asis, better known as Mission Dolores, is the sixth mission founded in Alta California, and was formally dedicated October 9th, 1776, by Fathers Palou, Cambon, Nocedal and Pena. Officers and soldiers of the Presidio were present. High mass was sung by Father Palou, the image St. Francis was exhibited, bells were rung, volleys of musketry rent the air, cannons and rockets from the good ship San Carlos, lying in the bay, were fired. The building was a comfortable house of wood, roofed with tules and plastered with clay. It measured about 54x30x15 feet. The first chapel blessed was at the presidio, on the 17th of September, on the Feast of Stigmata of St. Francis,
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the patron saint of the port and missions, while the mission was named for the patron saint of the Franciscan order.
The name Dolores ( sorrow) in this instance signifies the name of a stream or lagoon, a place known as " the willows " by those who came in 1849. This swamp was later filled in and graded, forming the tract that lies between Seventeenth, Nineteenth, Valencia and Howard streets. The corner-stone for the present church was laid 1782, and by 1795 adobe buildings with tile roofs, forming two sides of a square were completed ; also a ditch protecting the potrero or cattle farm and fields, had been dng.
Weaving looms were constructed by the Indians and a substantial though coarse kind of blanketing, was woven as clothing for the SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS. neophytes. Vancouver describes it as "cloth not to be despised, had it received the advantage of fulling." The products made and produced at Dolores Mission were soap, salt, wool, hides, wine, tallow and butter. The garden was not notable for its produce, the reason given being high winds and weather infavorable to horti- culture. The climate proved detrimental to the Indians, and after a fierce epidemic of measles, a new mission known as the " hospital mission " was founded at San Rafael, across the bay, and 590 of the Indians were transferred to this place for a change of climate. Later 322 neophytes were sent to Solano, and it was thought best at one time to discontinue the mission at San Francisco altogether : but the idea met stout opposition from Father President Sarria. Consequently a new mission, known as New San Francisco or Solano, was founded, and the old San Francisco, known as Dolores, was not abandoned. Dolores was not a prosperous mission, and rapidly declined after secularization. The Fathers baptized 6883 persons and buried 2089. The little church-yard at the side of the mission is small and sad. Few monuments mark the resting places of any of the 2000 and over, who lie sleeping in that small space. A tall shaft marks the grave of the first Mexican governor, Don Luis Antonio Arguello.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO.
The founding of the Mission San Juan Capistrano was accomplished under many discouragements. The first attempt was made by Fathers Lasnen and Amurrio on the 19th or the 30th of October, 1775. Dates given by Palon and Ortega differ. The first service was held in a hut of branches. A large cross
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was erected and blessed, but nothing further was done at that time. The bells of Capistrano were taken down from the tree and buried.
On November Ist, 1776, a second attempt was made by Father Serra. A new altar was erected, mass was celebrated, and the seventh mission of California was founded, upon the site known by the Indians as Sajirit. Capistrano became prosperous, but did not excel either in number of converts or in wealth. In February, 1797, work was begun on the stone chapel, the ruins of which are standing today. It proved to be one of the grandest church buildings in California. It measured 159×30 fect. was surmounted by a lofty tower, and all was of stone and mortar. The stones were not hewn, but were fitted together in the rough. The church was built with nave SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. and transept with thick walls, and an arched, dome-like roof. Here and there remain evidence of decoration. Ten years ago there still were wooden figures to be seen in many small niches and the carving showing ability and taste. It is to be regretted that these relics were carried away and not placed in the room used as the chapel. The stone church of San Juan Capistrano was dedicated September 7th, 1806. The cere- mony lasted three days, and visiting Padres and Indians came long distances, even as far as from Santa Barbara, to witness the ceremony. But the magnificent building was doomed to short service, for on the morning of December 8th, 1812, a terrible earthquake shook it to its very foundation, causing the lofty tower to crash down upon the vaulted roof, precipitating the mass of stone and mortar down upon the worshipping congregation-for it was on Sunday morning. About fifty persons were present, and only ten escaped. Excavation for the recovery of the crushed and mangled bodies began at once, but nothing has ever been done toward restoring the building to its former grandeur. Capistrano was secularized in 1833, and even after the loss of the mission church the inventory placed the valuation of the mission at about $55,000: with debts of only $1410. In December, 1845, the mission buildings were sold to Mckinley and Forster for $710.00. Juan Forster was in possession for twenty years, but after extended litigation, the Catholic church regained possession of the property.
SANTA CLARA.
The Mission of Santa Clara was founded January 12th, 1777. by Father Tomas de la Pena, O. S. F. The site was the present Laurel Wood Farm of
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Peter J. Donahue. The floods of 1778-9, however, obliged the Fathers to look for higher and safer grounds. They selected the "Valley of the Oaks," a location some 150 yards to the southwest of the present Union depot of the town of Santa Clara. At the ceremony of the removal of the Santa Clara Mission to the second location, Father Serra was himself present, and officiated. The structures there were begun November 19th, 1781, and the second church and buildings were blessed and dedicated on May 15th, 1784. The earthquake of 1812 cracked the walls of the church and the more severe "temblores " of 1818 completed the destruction. A third church was erected upon the present site of the mission church, and was dedicated on August 11th, 1822, the eve of Santa Clara. This third church was the SANTA CLARA. work of Father José Viader, assisted by Don Ignacio Alviso, as foreman. The original adobe walls of this church were replaced in 1885 by wooden ones. The single belfry, and the facade was replaced in 1862 by the present towers, and the present facades. But the interior, the ornamentations and furnishings are almost intact. These latter include the life-size crucifix, the original holy-water fonts, the pulpits of those early days, the copy of the miraculous and historic painting of " Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe," the identical reredos or background of the main altar, the tabernacle and candelabra-shelves, the wings of the latter itself ; the accompany- ing statues in wood of Saints Joachin and Ann, parents of Our Lady ; and like statues of Saints Juan Capistran and Colette. The reredos contain other statues and medallions. The church has the identical frescoed ceiling of the chancel. The paintings of the walls and ceilings of the interior are reproductions ; also the statue in wood of St. Francis of Asisi, with sacred stigmata on the hands and feet ; also that of St. Anthony of Padua, with the Infant Jesus in his arms. In the right hand belfry are the three old bells donated to the Santa Clara Mission by the King of Spain. Two bear the original dates, 1798 and 1799, and the third, which was recast in 1864, bears the double dates 1805-64. In the college library may be seen the historic paintings of " Alameda," the " Beautiful Way," " Santa Clara Mission in 1851 " and the grand old choral of those early days, with cover in bronze and wood.
At the time of Vancouver's visit to Santa Clara, many of the Indians were engaged in building adobe houses for themselves. In 1794, twenty-three of these dwellings with thatched roofs were completed, and in 1798, nearly all of
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the married neophytes were thus accommodated. Today not a mission Indian is to be found in or about Santa Clara. Here as at all other missions, seculari- zation with one blow ruined fifty years of faithful and patient work of the Padres.
SAN BUENAVENTURA.
The Mission of San Buenaventura Doctor Sarafico (Saint Bonaventura, Serafic Doctor) was founded Easter Sunday, March 30th, 1783, by Father Serra. It was the last mission that Father Serra founded, and he had intended it to be one of the first. The delay was a trial to the good man, but he com- forted himself with the saying, "the more slowly the more solemnly." The place chosen was the head of the Santa Barbara channel and the home of a large tribe of Indians. The Indians were friendly and even assisted in building a chapel, a house for Father Cambon, who was left in charge, and barracks for the soldiers. The group of buildings was, for greater safety, surrounded by a palisade. Within ten years San Buenaventura had become one of the most flourishing settlements in couver, who vis- in 1793, speaks gardens, the tables. He men- peaches, pears, anges, grapes, cocoanut, sugar- plantain and even all of the ordinary tables, roots and California. Van- ited the mission of the wonderful fruits and vege- tions apples, plums, figs, or- pomegranates, cane, bananas, indigo; besides kitchen vege- SAN BUENAVENTURA. herbs. A disastrous fire compelled the missionaries to erect all new buildings. The new church was built of stone and brick, and it is the one standing today. But the tile roof is gone. The earthquake of 1812 damaged the church and many buildings. The tower and much of the facade were rebuilt. The whole site of Buenaventura settled, and the fear of all sinking into the sea frightened the inhabitants away. They fled to San Joaquin y Santa Ana, where they remained for a year. Here the Priests erected a cajal, or Indian hut, to be used as a chapel. Upon their return to Ventura, the neophytes, under the direction of the Fathers, restored the buildings to a better condition than they were originally. In 1820 the government of Mexico owed to San Buenaventura $35,170. There is no record that it was ever paid. They had purchased sup- plies from the mission, a cargo of hemp, and were in arrears in stipends to the Fathers for $6,200. In 1822 the Indians had individual gardens along the banks of the river, where they raised vegetables for sale. They labored and might
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have become self-supporting, for the mission establishments sold great quantities of produce and supplies to the home government as well as supplying their own demands at the missions.
Secularization came in 1837. The mission estate was first rented for $1,630.00 per annum, and then sold to José Arnaz for $12,000, in June, 1846. His title was not recognized by the United States government. The records of San Buenaventura are interesting old documents. They show 3,857 baptisins, 1,086 marriages, 3,098 deaths. In 1831 there were 7,240 head of live stock. Today the old mission is the parish church of Ventura.
SANTA BARBARA.
Santa Barbara, (Virgin and Martyr) was founded December 4th, 1786, by Father Fermin Francisco de Lastien, who had been made President of the Missions the previous year to succeed the lamented Junipero Serra. The site selected was called Taynayam by the natives, and El Pedragoso by the Spaniards. It was about one mile distant from the presido, which had been established in 1782 by Father Serra. The location of Santa Barbara is the most beautiful of all the missions. Back from the water's edge nearly two miles, it is situated in the foothills of the Santa Ynez mountains. It was from the hills of San Marcos that the great oak beams were carried by oxen (or more likely by faithful Indian neophytes ) and used in the construction of the mission buildings. Chief Yanonalit, ruler of the thirteen neighboring rancherias, proved friendly and contributed Indians to assist in work, their labor to be paid for in articles of clothing and food. This was especially the arrangement for work on the presidio. The first chapel con- structed was of boughs.
In the following year, 1787, a church building 15x42 feet, was made of adobe and thatched with straw. Six other buildings of the same kind were erected, and in 1788 tiles were manu- factured and all the buildings were covered with them. In 1789 the chapel had become too small, and another was built. Again in 1793 a larger one was constructed, a fact which is evidence of prosperity. As the Indian population was gradually increasing, it became necessary to form a village and build a separate house for each family ; in consequence, SANTA BARBARA. nineteen houses were built of adobe in 1798. Also a piece of land was enclosed by an adobe wall nine feet high, and 3600 feet in extent ; to be used
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as a garden, orchard and vineyard. The wall was capped with tiles to protect it from the rain. In 1800 the village was laid out in streets and cross- streets, and there were over fifty houses. The neophytes were taught to weave blankets, to make soap, clothing, implements and many other necessary articles. By 1807 the town of Santa Barbara had 252 dwellings besides the store houses, and other necessary buildings, all enclosed on three sides by a high wall.
In this year Santa Barbara dedicated a mission church at the station of Sagshpileel, a large rancheria near a laguna. This was known as San Miguel. Again in 1804 Santa Inez was formed because of the great number of susceptible Indians in this district. The number thus withdrawn from Santa Barbara Mission was over one hundred.
The earthquake of 1812 badly damaged the mission building at Santa Barbara, so much so that the chapel building was torn down and replaced by a new stone edifice-the present structure. This new edifice was dedicated on September 10th, 1820. The walls of the church, which is still used by the Fathers, are six feet in thickness and were made of hewn stone, strengthened by solid stone buttresses. The building is the most substantial of any of the missions in California. In June, 1846, the mission was sold to Richard S. Den for $7500, but the title was invalid. In 1852, a petition to establish a Franciscan convent or college, with a novitiate for the education of young men, was sent to Rome and was granted by the authorities. Santa Barbara Mission was selected for the purpose. Bishop Thaddeus Amat removed from the mission to the parish church, thus leaving the Fathers in possession. By this arrangement they will have perpetual use of the buildings, gardens, vineyard and two orchards. The inner garden of the Mission is the private park or retreat for the priests, and is closed to the public. With two notable exceptions, woman has never entered this garden. They were Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, wife of the then President of the United States, and Princess Louise Marchioness of Lorne. The East garden, comprizing about one acre of land, is a part of the old burying ground and contains over four hundred bodies, one buried upon another. It is a beautiful spot, covered with roses, geraniums, rare plants and trees.
The most valued treasure of Santa Barbara is a portion of the true cross brought from the Holy Land. The Mission archives are of inestimable value to California history. The library contains massive books of parch- ment, illuminated, and rare old manuscripts, descriptive of life and scenes of early days in this country. When the missions secularized, books, mantı- scripts and most valuable records were sent to Santa Barbara Mission for safe keeping and many still remain there. Huge chests are filled with gorgeous robes and vestments, many of them made of richest brocades.
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LA PURISIMA CONCEPCION.
December 8th, 1787, Father Lasten founded the Mission of La Purisima Concepcion in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin. It is situated on the Santa Ynez river. The first church building was replaced by a new one of adobe with tile roof in 1795. Father Payeras, with the aid of interpreters, completed in 1810, a catechism and manual of confession in the Indian language. This was of greatest advantage to the neophytes in the study of religion. However, there remained at this time no more Indians nearer than twenty- LA PURISIMA CONCEPCION. five or thirty leagues away, to
be converted. In 1815 Father Payeras became president of the California missions, but he continued to reside at Purisima, instead of repairing to San Carlos del Carmelo.
Early on the morning of December 12th, 1812, a violent earthquake shook the church walls out of plumb, a second shock about II o'clock destroyed the chapel completely, and nearly all of the mission buildings, besides about 100 of the neophyte houses. Rents in the earth from which black sand and water oozed, added to the peril. Huts of wood and grass were erected for tem- porary use. Later the mission was moved to a position farther up the river, The first church building erected here was destroyed by fire and another one erected and dedicated October 4th, 1825, the remains of which are to be seen today. It is a long, low structure, and had twenty-one rooms. There were twelve smaller buildings about it. The church ornaments were valued in 1834 at nearly $5000; the library at $655; there were five bells, worth $1000. In fact, the mission property, live-stock and ranchos were valued at over $60,000. In 1845 it was sold by the Governor to John Temple for $I, IIO; and La Purisima was abandoned by its rightful owners, the Indians, and the Padres.
The location is about three miles from the town of Lompoc, in Santa Barbara county.
SANTA CRUZ.
Santa Cruz, the Mission of the Holy Cross, was formally established by Don Hermenegildo Sal, on Sunday, September 25, 1791. The site had been selected and blessed by Father Lasuen, August 28, on the day of San Augustin. Near
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by was a fine stream in the Arroyo de Pedro Regalado, which is now known as Rio San Lorenzo. Huts were built by the Indians, land was prepared, and wheat sown. The founding of the mission was most favorable, as many of the Indians came and offered to help with the work, while their chief, Sugert, presented him- self, with a few of his followers, and promised to become the first Christian of his tribe, and Sal agreed to be godfather. In the history of the founding of the mis- sion, it is an interesting fact that frequently everything wherewith to establish a new mission was contributed as a loan by the other missions. In this instance Santa Clara contributed 64 head of cattle, 22 horses, 77 fanegas of grain, and 26 loaves of bread. San Francisco gave five yoke of oxen, 70 sheep and two bushels of barley. San Carlos gave eight horses and seven mules. The vestments and sacred vessels were loaned by other missions, also tools and implements, until those intended for Santa Cruz should arrive from Mexico. The mission was beautifully situated, near the waters of the Bay of Monterey, and as a background there was a dense forest. Although the founding was auspicious, the mission never became an important or even flourishing establishment, because of the of the penal sta- forte, which later of Santa Cruz. date, however, pleasant associa- vict life have dis- ly as have the ings, and the day is one of Cal- ing resorts. The The building was.
close proximity tion of Branci- became the town At the present all of the un- tions of the con- appeared as whol- old mission build- Santa Cruz of to- fornia's charm- SANTA CRUZ. corner-stone of the mission church was laid February 27, 1793. 120x30 feet. The walls were of stone to the height of three feet, the front was of masonry, and the rest of adobe. In 1812 Father Andres Quintana was brutally murdered by nine or ten of the Mission Indians. Though sick himself, he left his room at night to call upon a man said to be dying. On the way home he was murdered. It was two years before the murderers were apprehended and pun- ished. Their defense was that of cruelty on the part of the father ; but the fact that he had left his sick bed to minister to a dying man belied the accusation, and the murderers were condemned to work in chains from two to ten years. Only one survived the punishment. When Santa Cruz was secularized, in 1835, ten thousand dollars of the church money was divided among the neophytes. In 1839 Hartnell found but seventy of the Indians remaining, and all of the money gone. Of the mission itself there is now hardly a trace. The portion of a tile-covered shed in the rear of the present church is all that remains. A few relics, among them two mission books used by the Indians, may be seen in the church.
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LA SOLEDAD.
The Mission of "Our Lady of Solitude " (" Soledad "), was founded October 9th, 1791, by Father Lasuen. The sites for Soledad and Santa Cruz were selected upon the same trip. Governor Portola named this lonely spot Soledad in 1769, but it was not until 1797 that the adobe structure with its roof of straw, which was known as the chapel of Soledad, was com- pleted. Later a tiled roof and corri- dors were added. Soledad became a flourishing Christian settlement, but after the secularization in 1835, so great was the devastation and ruin that the venerable Father Vincente Sarria, who had labored for the mis- LA SOLEDAD. sion for thirty years, and who refused to leave his post of duty or the remaining Indians, died here in 1835, the year of the secularization, of starvation and want. June 4th, 1846, Soledad Mis- sion was sold to Feliciano Soberanes for $800, yet the inventory of '35 had shown a valuation of $36,000, besides the church property.
A heap of ruins standing alone in an open field, used for the growing of grain, is all that today remains of Soledad Mission. The Indians called the place Chuttusgelis, but the Spaniards called it Solitude.
SAN JOSE.
Mission San José was founded June 1I, 1797, Trinity Sunday. By an order from the College of Fernando, Mexico, the new mission was dedicated to St. Joseph, the foster-father of Our Lord. A wooden structure with grass roof was quickly constructed, and Father Barcenilla was left in charge. San José was founded by Father Lasten. The northern missions contributed very generously toward the establishment of the new one. They sent 12 mules, 12 yoke of oxen, 39 horses, 242 sheep and 60 pigs. The Indians from the adjacent hills proved to be treach- erous and cruel. Father Cueva after having labored five years among them, was cruelly attacked, wounded and almost killed. He had been called a long distance from the mission, about
SAN JOSE.
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fifteen miles, to attend to some sick neophytes. Upon arriving at the rancheria, the natives attacked him and his guard with arrows, killing the guard, a soldier and three neophytes and wounding Father Cueva. On account of the treachery of the Indians, and their having made several attempts to do injury to the padres and to the buildings, the houses were soon reconstructed, and made of brick from the excellent brick-earth near by. There are chalk hills near San José, and everywhere the soil is rich and fertile. The establishment was never extensive nor imposing, yet at one time Mission San José had a greater number of neo- phytes than any other mission in California, with the single exception of San Luis Rey. The illustration shows the mission as it was years ago, and gives some idea of the plan of the establishment. San José was never wealthy, but still they could order a bell weighing 1000 pounds, and that was considered a luxury. At the time of the secularization the church property was valued at $155,000 over and above the debts. On May 5th, 1846, San José Mission was sold to Andres Pico and J. B. Alvarado, for $12,000, by Governor Pio Pico.
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