David K - 6-27-2004 at 11:21 PM
The reason was usually for better water supply. The mission was first established where the natives were (labor pool) but when fields needed
irrigating the water source for the natives wasn't enough for agricuture.
Dolores was moved to La Pasion to not be so isolated.
In the case of San Pedro Martir, it was to go down 2 to 3,000 feet in elevation to not get frozen in during winter.
Here is a quick list with approx. distances...
San Javier about 5 miles
Comondu about 20 miles
La Purisima about 12 miles
Dolores: about 3 miles then again about 20 miles to La Pasion.
Santiago: from Los Barriles* (Ensenada de las Palmas) to Santa Ana 20 miles, to Rancho La Mision* 25 miles, to Santiago 3 miles. (* modern names).
La Paz 40 miles.
San Jose del Cabo: 4 times (coast to inland 5 miles, back to near coast and again to more inland)
Santa Maria from Calamajue 22 miles.
Rosario 2 miles.
San Pedro Martir 8 miles.
Santo Tomas 4 miles.
San Miguel 7 miles.
[Edited on 6-28-2004 by David K]