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California Spanish Missions

The Spanish Missions of California

California Missions is your ultimate on line resource for information about the twenty-one beautiful Spanish missions that line the state of California. From San Diego to Sonoma, each of the historical missions has a colorful two-hundred-year-old story to tell. Our goal is to educate and inform Internet visitors about the fascinating history that is contained …

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Short California Mission History

A Short California Mission History

Although the settlement of California did not begin until 1769, forces were at work only the year after the first voyage of Columbus, which ultimately brought Spanish missionaries to the Golden State of today. In 1493 Pope Alexander VI drew an arbitrary line on the map which was to divide the spheres of interest of …

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Historical Background

Historical Background

The history of occupied California dates back to the summer of 1769, but the history of the missions can be traced to 1493, just after the discovery of America. Between the two dates, there is an interval of almost 300 years during which the mission system grew to be a philosophy of human rights, put …

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Father Junípero Serra

Father Junípero Serra

Miguel José Serra, a Franciscan missionary to the Indians of California was born November 24, 1713 at Petra on the island of Maiorca (Spain). He was a son of Antonio Nadal Serra and Margarita Rosa Ferrer who married in 1707 and spent their lives as farmers on the island. Early life in Maiorca When he …

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A History of Mission Music

A History of Mission Music

The area of North America known as California was named by Hernan Cortez (ca. 1536) after the mythical island paradise described by Garci Rodriguez de Montalvo in Las sergas de Esplandian, published in 1508. Upper or Alta California, which included the entire west coast of the United States, British Columbia and Alaska was ignored by …

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California, The Golden State

California The Golden State

Named after a fabled island in “The Deeds of Esplandian” by Montalvo… written in 1500. The romantic epochs of California history parade before us in picturesque array… the conquistador, the cowled monk, the trapper, miner, emigrant and the state builder; each leaving his contribution to the colorful history and brilliant future of the Golden State. …

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Spanish Missions Founded in Alta California

California Missions Timeline

Stretching from San Diego to Sonoma, the twenty-one beautiful missions that line the state of California remind us of our nation’s past. Under the Spanish king Charles III, plans were made for extending Spanish domain into Upper California. Sea and land expeditions composed of Spanish soldiers and Franciscan missionaries were sent from Mexico to Upper …

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Indians Migrating - Paint of Alexander Francis Harmer at the Smithsonian Museum of American Art

Dodge and Harmer illustrations

Zephyrin Engelhardt (1851-1934), O.F.M., was born as Charles Anthony Engelhardt in Bilshausen, Hanover, Germany, on November 13, 1851. In 1852, he and his family emigrated to North America. In 1872, he entered the Franciscan order and was ordained in 1878. Soon, Father Zephyrin Engelhardt became known as the “Father of Mission History”. His work and …

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