In reading Camp and Camino in Lower California by Arthur North he relates an interesting story about Mission Santa Maria.
In 1893 an American from San Francisco visits the mission and with the aid of his Mexican guide marks a spot on the west wall. The next morning the
American announces he is returning immediately to Alta California. While packing his guide secretly examines the wall where the mark had been made and
sees the excavation with rust in the hallows.
Had Padre Victoriano Arnes put his treasure in there after being told to leave the country? Had the American taken it? Also what became of the Padre?
I have only found references to him being at Mission Santa Maria and Calamajue.
David K what do you know of this?David K - 6-20-2017 at 12:01 PM
Mission treasures? Never existed, but I am sworn to secrecy!
Padre Victoriano Arnés was born in 1736 and died in 1788, in Rome.
He worked (assisted) at San Borja in 1764 and 1765. Founded the next mission north, at Calamajué in 1766 and moved it seven months later after crops
would not grow using the water at Calamajué.
In May 1767, he reestablished the mission and gave it a new name, Santa María de los Angeles.
Arnés, as well as the other Jesuits, in January 1768, were forced to leave their missions. Several months later, the Franciscans arrived to replace
the banished Jesuits.
IT WAS THE FRANCISCANS (Padre Juan Leon de Medina Beita) who had the adobe church built after their arrival. So, like many other historical statements
by Arthur North, the truth turns out to be different.
This, about who built the mission we see today, is in my book, pages 109-115, by-the-way.
TMW - 6-20-2017 at 01:08 PM
I knew you had the answer.Bob and Susan - 6-20-2017 at 02:33 PM
...I heard it's 5150 steps north from the mission door buried in a vault 8 meters down...near a tree...
now...I don't know for sure but this is the story I heard
The Lost Mission of Santa Isabel, on YouTube
David K - 6-20-2017 at 02:56 PM
Tom, you may enjoy this from the Mexico Unexplained series >>>
