Download coordinates as:
Franciscanpriests established21 missions between 1769 and 1833 inAlta California, accompanied by military outposts. Their goal was tospreadChristianity among the localNative Americans, as well as to affirmSpanish, and laterMexican, claims to the region.
To facilitate overland travel, the mission settlements were situated approximately 30 miles (48 kilometers) apart, about oneday's journey on horseback, or three days on foot. The entire trail eventually became a 600-mile (966-kilometer) long "California Mission Trail."Rev. Lasuén successfully argued that filling in the empty spaces alongEl Camino Real with additional outposts would provide much-needed rest stops where travelers could take lodging in relative safety and comfort.[1]: 132 [2]: 152 Heavy freight movement was practical only via water. Tradition has it that the padres sprinkledmustard seeds along the trail to mark it withbright yellow flowers.[3]: 79 [4]: 260
Today a growing number of people, calling themselvesCalifornia Mission Walkers, hike the mission trail route, usually in segments between the missions.[5] Walking the trail is a way to connect with the history of the missions. For some it represents a spiritual pilgrimage, inspired by Jesuit priest Richard Roos' 1985 book, Christwalk.[6] The loosely organized group is attempting to formalize the route and establish markers, similar to the 330-mile (530 km)El Camino de Santiago, in Spain.
There were 21missions, 8asistencias, and 5estancias in what is now California.
Two Franciscan missions,Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción andMission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer, were constructed within the present-day borders of California but were administered as part of theSpanish missions of Pimería Alta. As such, they are not considered a part of the 21 missions ofAlta California.
Asistencias were branch missions that allowed the priests to extend their reach into the native population at a modest cost.
Anestancia orestância is a Spanish or Portuguese term describing private landholdings used forfarming orraising livestock. They assisted in the development of their parent missions.
Presidios in chronological order:
On Spanish Missions:
On California history:
On general missionary history:
On colonial Spanish American history:
{{cite book}}:ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
