David K - 3-3-2009 at 12:36 PM
The mission of Los Dolores (founded in 1721) was located in a very inaccesable canyon near the gulf coast at a site called Apaté by the natives.
Beginning in 1737 the decision was made to move the mission to one of its visitas at La Pasión, 15 miles to the southwest. The local Indian name was
Chillá.
Some books list a seperate mission of 'La Pasion', but there was ONE mission (Los Dolores) that was officially relocated twice:
In 1723 from the site near the beach to the canyon about 2 miles away; and in 1741 to the visita of La Pasión (called Chillá by the natives).
Los Dolores was closed in 1768 along with nearby mission of San Luis Gonzaga after the expulsion of the Jesuits. The natives from both missions were
forced to move to Todos Santos.
In 1950, not much was still standing (McDonald photo):
Same site, 50 years later (Jack Swords photos):
'Kevin in Oklahoma' took these in 1998:
David K - 3-3-2009 at 12:44 PM
Extensive irrigation works are visible near the site, which is located less than 2 miles northeast of Rancho La Presa. A wall with a doorway at La
Presa is believd to have been a mission winery.
The mission site is called 'La Capilla' in the topo map (Baja Almanac map 47, X-2).
Barry A. - 3-3-2009 at 04:33 PM
Looking at the BAJA ATLAS/ALMANAC after you have brought my attention to this area, I realize that there are a lot of roads all over that section of
Baja Sur, and I have never been on any of them. There is a whole new universe of interesting country to explore there, it looks to me.
Thanks for that, David-----------really interesting stuff. I bet one could spend a month in there just poking around. And that beach at the mouth of
the wash down from the Mission site-----that looks beautiful-------love to boat in there for a week, or two. Thanks too for the pics of the palms.
Fun, fun!!!
Barry
David K - 3-3-2009 at 04:52 PM
There is just "so much Baja..." 