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California Missions: 50 Interesting Facts

By Damian Bacich

The California missions are home to fascinating stories and interesting facts. The following is a list 50 things you might not know about the missions– but there are many more to discover. Pirate Raid In 1818, a French privateer named Hippolyte Bouchard (known in Spanish as Hipólito Bouchard), led a series of raids along the coast of Alta California. Bouchard […]

Filed Under: Franciscans, Hispanic Heritage, Resources, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Chumash, Gen. Mariano G. Vallejo, Hipólito Bouchard, Mission San Diego de Alcala, mission san fernando, Mission San Francisco Solano, Mission San Juan Bautista, mission san juan capistrano, Mission San Luis Obispo, Mission San Miguel, Mission Santa Clara, Pirates

Choosing a Mission Site: San Miguel Arcángel

By Damian Bacich

Choosing a Mission Site: San Miguel Arcángel

How was a mission site chosen? What factors went into the location of a mission? Who decided where to build a mission? When was Mission San Miguel Founded? Mission San Miguel Arcángel was founded on July 25, 1797 by Fr. Fermín de Lasuén and Fr. Buenaventura Sitjar.  Important Steps Before establishing a Spanish mission in […]

Filed Under: Franciscans, Spanish Missions Tagged With: Antonio de la Concepción Horra, Buenaventura Sitjar, Diego Borica, Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, Mission San Miguel, Primary Sources, Salinan

Indian Life at the California Missions – San Miguel Arcangel

By Damian Bacich

One of the things people often ask about is what life was like on the California missions, especially Indian life. Some of the most important accounts of California Indian life at the missions come from the Interrogatorio (Questionnaire) that the Spanish Government sent to the priests of the California Missions in 1813.

Filed Under: California Indians, Daily Lives Tagged With: California Indians (Standard 1), Daily Lives (Standard 5), featured, Mission San Miguel, Primary Sources

I’m Dr. Damian Bacich, and I started the California Frontier Project. Learn more about me and the project here.

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