Baja California is home to 27 missions, includingthe first 18 California Missions.
Missions in Baja California were administered in: 1697 to 1768 by the Jesuits, 1768 to 1773 by the Franciscans,1773 to 1854 by the Dominicans.
Map from Edward Vernon
The California Peninsula is theLAND OF MISSIONS
On March 5, 1766 the future mission location of Velicatáwas discovered by the Jesuit Padre Wenceslao Linck on his expedition from Mission San Borja to find sites towards the Colorado River.
Calamajué/ Santa Maríawas California’s 17th mission.
Velicatá (San Fernando) was too far from San Borja, so the Jesuits established a mission midway.
Chris Kier on El Camino Real, 5.6 miles west of Hwy. 5, in 2003
David Kier on El Camino Real
EL CAMINO REAL TO SANTA MARIA
Only the most rugged vehicles and drivers can reach Santa María today!
The ‘Widowmaker’ grade stops most drivers, 1.2 miles from the mission.
The bog can be dry or up to 3 feet deep. 2010 was a wet year!
Rock are not the only road hazard going to the mission…
Mission Santa Maríade los Ángeles
#17 of the California Spanish Missions, 1766-1774
Mission Santa María de los Ángeles Oct. 16, 1766 at CalamajuéMay, 1767 at Cabujakaamang
Warehouse ruins, 10 miles northeast of Santa María onBahía San Luis Gonzaga?: Franciscan origin 1769+ Photo from 2002 by David Kier
San Fernando de Velicatá, first mission founded by JuníperoSerra, May 14, 1769. Photo of east side by G.W. Hendry in 1926.