David K
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Jesuit California Missions (1697-1768) and what followed:
The Jesuit Order of the Catholic Faith was charged with converting the native people of California to a 'European' style of living. This was a
precursor to the colonization of California by the Spanish Empire which had already occupied the mainland of Mexico and Central and South America.
Padre Eusebio Kino was the first Jesuit to try and build a mission in California, in 1683. His first attempt was at La Paz, where Cortez himself tried
to build a colony in 1535 (a year or two after California was 'discovered' by Fortun Jimenez, a mutineer who was killed by the natives in La Paz...
the exact date is unknown. When Kino's La Paz mission (he named 'Guadalupe') failed, he tried again at San Bruno, 15 miles north of Loreto. The San
Bruno mission and fort failed and was abandoned in 1685.
Because of the failures by Kino, the Jesuits changed their methods and negotiated with the king of Spain to have autonomy of their project and control
over the soldiers Spain provided for protection against hostile natives. The King (Carlos II) agreed, but told the Jesuits they would need to secure
all funding themselves, even pay the soldiers' wages.
The first mission founded under the new system was at Loreto, in 1697. As funds became available and new population centers were discovered, more
missions were built north and south of Loreto.
California was believed by most to be an island, despite the repeated explorations that failed to get beyond the Colorado River delta. Maps well into
the 1700's kept showing California as an island until Jesuit Padre Consag's expedition in 1746. It was then that the Jesuits desired to connect their
California missions with those in Sonora, on the Mexican mainland.
Between 1697 and Consag's expedition of 1746, the Jesuits founded 14 missions north and south of Loreto and many dozens of 'visitas' (satellite
visiting stations of the head mission). Once it was certain in their minds that California was a peninsula and not an island, missions began to be
built to the north:
1752) Santa Gertrudis
1762) San Borja
1766) Calamajue... moved and renamed Santa Maria, in 1767.
Then the 'end' came to the Jesuit world in New Spain (Mexico)! Rumors were spread that the Jesuits were keeping riches acquired in California (gold,
silver, pearls) and not sharing it with the king. A secret order was delivered to the Jesuit padres assembled in Loreto, on February 2, 1768. Captain
Gaspar de Portola was in charge of the Jesuit expulsion, and three days later the Jesuits sailed from California to begin their exile back to Europe.
The truth was that the Jesuits barely survived and producing food was all they had time for. When the missions were inventoried, the Visitador General
from Spain, Jose de Galvez was shocked to see the poverty at the missions. Other than alter pieces and paintings that adorned the Jesuit churches,
there was not much else that could be called 'treasure'.
During their over 70 years in California, the Jesuits founded 17 missions and had only closed or reduced to visita status 3 (Ligui, Santa Rosa, and
San Jose del Cabo). The Franciscans were chosen to take over the 14 missions in California, but that was reduced to 12 when Galvez ordered 2 more
closed (Los Dolores and San Luis Gonzaga). The Franciscans, led by Junipero Serra, were under a different arrangement and the autonomy enjoyed by the
Jesuits was a thing of the past.
The Franciscans were ordered to head north of the peninsula and build missions at San Diego and Monterey to secure the vast land known as 'Alta
(Upper) California' for the King of Spain, before the Russians or British did. The Portola/Serra expedition of 1769 did just that. Once Serra saw the
potential of Alta California, he wanted to concentrate their efforts in the fresh land. The California peninsula missions were transferred to the
Dominican Order after just 5 years and the Dominicans founded 9 more missions on the peninsula to fill in the gap between San Fernando (Serra's first
mission 40 miles northwest of Mission Santa Maria) and San Diego.
California would become known as Baja (Lower) California or Antigua (Old) California to clear which California was being discussed. The new territory
from San Diego and beyond was called Alta or Nueva (New) California.
The two California's were not separated administratively until March 26, 1804. The new nation of Mexico achieved its independence in 1821, following
11 years of war with Spain. The California missions survived during this period by trading with hunters, foreign vessels, and among themselves. Mexico
would secularize the Spanish missions, but the California missions were allowed to continue on as it was so distant from Mexico City and the native
people were still not fully converted. Two more missions were founded after 1821, one in Alta California at Sonoma (1823) and the final one in Baja
California, at Guadalupe (1834).
The United States would keep Alta California after the war with Mexico ended in 1848, and the Americans dropped Alta from the name. The peninsula,
which was California first, would remain as part of Mexico, would forever be known as Baja California.
Here are some examples of missions founded by the Jesuits, as seen in this century:
Oldest ruins in California, San Bruno (1683)
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Loreto, Head and Mother of All California Missions (1697)
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San Javier (1699)
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Santa Rosalia de Mulege (1705)
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San Jose de Comondu (1708)
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San Ignacio (1728)
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San Luis Gonzaga (1737)
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Santa Gertrudis (1752)
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San Borja (1762)
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The southern area of Jesuit California:
'San Juan Malibat' is at Ligui and 'San Luis' is San Luis Gonzaga
The northern area of Jesuit California:
The 17 Jesuit Missions (using their full name)
1) Nuestra Seņora de Loreto Concho 1697-1829
2) San Francisco Javier de Biaundo 1699-1817 (moved 5 miles south in 1710)
3) San Juan Bautista de Ligui/ Malibat 1705-1721
4) Santa Rosalia de Mulege 1705-1828
5) San Jose de Comondu 1708-1827 (moved 22 miles south in 1736)
6) La Purisima Concepcion de Cadegomo 1720-1822 (moved 10 miles south in 1735)
7a) Nuestra Seņora del Pilar de la Paz Airapi 1720-1748 (moved to Todos Santos in 1748)
7b) Nuestra Seņora del Pilar de la Paz (Todos Santos) 1748-1840
8) Nuestra Seņora de Guadalupe de Huasinapi 1720-1795
9a) Nuestra Seņora de los Dolores Apate 1721-1741 (moved to La Pasion in 1741)
9b) Nuestra Seņora de los Dolores Chilla (La Pasion) 1741-1768
10) Santiago el Apostal Aiņini 1724-1795 (moved 2 miles south in 1734)
11) Nuestro Seņor San Ignacio Kadakaaman 1728-1840
12) San Jose del Cabo Aņuiti 1730-1840 (moved 5 miles north, then back, then 1 mile north)
13) Santa Rosa de las Palmas (Todos Santos) 1733-1748 (absorbed by moved La Paz mission in 1748)
14) San Luis Gonzaga Chiriyaqui 1737-1768
15) Santa Gertrudis 1752-1822
16) San Francisco de Borja Adac 1762-1818
17a) Calamajue 1766-1767 (moved 30 miles north in 1767)
17b) Santa Maria de los Angeles 1767-1769
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See more of the Jesuit founded missions: http://vivabaja.com/missions1
Read about the founding of all California missions: http://oldmissions.com
[Edited on 4-24-2013 by David K]
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OCEANUS
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Hi David
My daughter just presented her model of San Borja to her class today as part of her 4th grade Missions report. My older daughter tried doing the same
two years ago, but met some resistance from her teacher because it wasn't a CA State mission. She was later allowed to do an extra presentation on San
Borja in lieu of her "legitimate" report of Mission Santa Barbara.
But this year, my younger daughter was able to convince her teacher that San Borja is a California mission....Baja California. Her teacher was cool,
and her presentation went well. One thing that was hard for her to tease out was when the construction for the second mission (w/ canterra rock) began
- she could only find a semi-completed date.
Anyways, it's been fun bringing them out there to visit with Genaro and his family, tour the gardens, swim in the hot springs and to have them feel
connected to such a special part of Baja.
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David K
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That is great to hear of a teacher with an open mind! The Dominicans had the stone church constructed up to 1801. They assumed control of the
peninsula missions in 1773. So, construction on it began after 1773, but I don't have the start date (yet). Construction ended without a bell tower
included on this northern-most stone mission church in Baja.
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sargentodiaz
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The biggest difference between the Baja and Alta California missions is and was the same - availability of water.
The Franciscans had much more success in Upper California simply because they were all constructed where plentiful water was available. That also
meant a much larger native population to help in construction and maintenance.
And finally, thanks to President Abe, the California missions were turned back over to the Roman Catholic Church which brought about restoration
efforts.
One has to wonder how the Baja missions would've fared had there been plentiful water - such as happened at Loreto.
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bacquito
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Thanks, interesting report and comments.
bacquito
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David K
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De nada, this was actually a post I made on the History forums to fill in a piece of history following 'sargentodiaz's post on the Franciscan
missions, on that site (where he is known as longknife). The Jesuits were the first mission builders in California and were replaced by the
Franciscans. There was plenty of fresh water at some of the missions, Mulege and San Ignacio for example are on freshwater rivers or lakes...
certainly most of the missions had to make due with smaller creeks or spring water, and Alta California is much wetter, indeed.
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David K
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Following up... While the Jesuits established 17 missions, many were moved, so there is an old and a new site (or even multiple sites) for any one
mission.
Usually, the mission name didn't change with a move, but sometimes it did. Often the Jesuits called the mission only by the location name that was
used before a mission was moved there or founded there.
This multi-name for a single site has led to confusion by some writers. Examples of a name used for a mission that wasn't the official mission name
include:
Todos Santos (home of two missions): 'Santa Rosa de las Palmas' 1733 to 1748; 'Pilar de la Paz' 1748 to 1840.
La Pasion: Mision 'Los Dolores' 1741-1768
Calamajue: Mision 'Columna' 1766-1767
Then there is the case of an official name begin changed to fulfill the wishes of its benefactor (sponsor):
The 15th Jesuit mission had been planned for many years before it was founded in 1752, and even had neophytes baptized under the original name
'Dolores del Norte'. When funds became available to open the new mission, the name was changed to Santa Gertrudis. That there was a Dolores del Norte
on Jesuit lists and maps caused a belief in it being a 'lost mission'. When the adobe ruins of San Pablo where 'discovered' by modern travelers
(between El Arco and San Ignacio), it was thought to be the lost mission of Dolores del Norte, even appearing on maps and INAH publications! Old
timers up at San Francisco de la Sierra also believed the old walls in their village were the 'lost' Dolores mission.
Two other 'proposed missions' on Jesuit maps and lists are San Juan Bautista, west of San Ignacio in the Sierra Santa Clara (The 'Lost Santa Clara'
mission); and Santa Maria Magdalena... which confused early 1900's writer Arthur North who camped at the ruins just east of San Jose de Magdalena,
thinking it was the 'Magdalena' of Jesuit maps/ lists and not simply visita ruins, called La Magdalena.
Maps still show 'Santa Maria Magdalena' just east of San Jose de Magdalena... Santa Maria Magdalena, on the Jesuit maps, was north of Santa Gertrudis
(Dolores del Norte) and south of Bahia de los Angeles. Possibly this site discovered by Choral Pepper and others with Erle Stanley Gardner, in 1966:
http://vivabaja.com/109 and http://www.discoverbaja.com/pdf/fall09.pdf
All this makes Baja so interesting and such a high potential for adventure and discovery!
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DocRey
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Very cool stuff. Thx.
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Whale-ista
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Thank you. Interesting info. Makes me think about the persistence of activities over time.
Consider the resurgence of wine in the Ensenada area and near Santo Tomas. I've heard this is the oldest winegrowing region in all of Mexico. Do you
know if that's true?
Does anyone know if wine was produced at any of the missions beside Santo Tomas?
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Whale-ista
Thank you. Interesting info. Makes me think about the persistence of activities over time.
Consider the resurgence of wine in the Ensenada area and near Santo Tomas. I've heard this is the oldest winegrowing region in all of Mexico. Do you
know if that's true?
Does anyone know if wine was produced at any of the missions beside Santo Tomas? |
Oh yes, indeed! Many of the missions grew wine grapes and distilled wine... without digging into my books, I think the grape vines at Santo Tomas came
from San Jose de Comondu or San Javier. Wine is still produced at the mission of San Ignacio, and was produced at Santa Gertrudis and San Borja where
casks were made of stone! I will do some more research for you after work today...
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sargentodiaz
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Well, at this point, I have to bow to David's expertise in this area!
I spent hours conducting internet searches about the Baja missions and, after receiving some input from David, found out just how incomplete that
search was!
[Quite frustrating] And I hope he bothers to go to Wikipedia and edit the material they have there on those missions.
My thanks for his input on Leatherjacket Soldier and promise to get back to him soon with the revised mss. 
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David K
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| Quote: | Originally posted by sargentodiaz
Well, at this point, I have to bow to David's expertise in this area!
I spent hours conducting internet searches about the Baja missions and, after receiving some input from David, found out just how incomplete that
search was!
[Quite frustrating] And I hope he bothers to go to Wikipedia and edit the material they have there on those missions.
My thanks for his input on Leatherjacket Soldier and promise to get back to him soon with the revised mss. |
Thanks Dale!
I have studied the missions in Baja since I was a kid, but it was the last few years when I decided to try and get the facts exposed or at least
de-mystified. Too many authors and map makers (cartographers) were calling every ruin in Baja a mission it seemed, or just made them up (the more the
merrier?)!
Even our new book states that the final two Baja (Dominican) missions (El Descanso and Guadalupe) have some historians dismissing them as merely new
sites for San Miguel and are not really 'new' missions.
There is precedence as to what a 'mission' is or was... and it is clear to me that there were exactly 17 missions founded by the Jesuits. Nearly half
were moved one or more times, and in three cases, the mission's name was officially changed.
The truth is that nearly each mission has enough history and stories about it, a book could be written about each! Several were in operation for over
100 years, after-all.
The purpose of the book I co-authored is to provide the basic facts of each of the 48 California missions, as well as to show how the first 18
missions in Baja California were connected to, a part of, were in existence before, as well as 9 more founded during the same years, as the missions
in Alta California.
That books about the Alta California mission fail to mention or so lightly discuss the Baja California missions is a disservice to anyone seeking the
history of California.
I do have to say that Wiki has used a lot of information from Ed Vernon ('Las Misiones Antiguas' author), so has some good data.
I just hope more folks learn of our little book and find it clarifying to the cloudy details that have been difficult to get, before. Please order a
copy to get on the right path ('Camino Real') to discovering the fascinating history behind the Spanish period in California (Baja and Alta)! http://oldmissions.com
THANK YOU!
PS, our book contains a large list of the books on the missions should you wish to go deeper into researching them.
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