Books in California Missions series

Fray Junipero Serra established San Diego de Alcalá, the first of the California missions, in 1769. The Catholic Spanish friars established the mission with the hope of converting Native Americans to Catholicism. Although the level of reception to the Catholic religion and subsequently to the mission itself varied, the San Diego de Alcala played an important role in the history of California. The content provided in this book, aligned to California state standards, will provide students with a greater insight into the story of San Diego de Alcalá and California’s mission system. This book is filled with excellent primary source materials and visuals, including illustrations, paintings, and maps.

The first permanent church at Mission La Purísma Concepción was built in 1789. One of the biggest problems that the nearby Chumash Indians faced was the sickness brought about by diseases carried by the Spanish. In 1812, the Mission La Purisima was severely damaged by earthquakes and flood, prompting a rebuild four miles away. Today the mission is an official California State Park. The content provided in this book, aligned to California state standards, will provide students with a greater insight into the story of La Purísma Concepción and California’s mission system. This book is filled with excellent primary source materials and visuals, including illustrations, paintings, and maps.

Nuestra Señora de la Soledad was founded in 1791 by a friar named Fermin Francisco de Lasuén. It was the thirteenth mission to be founded. Life at Soledad was challenging for everyone. The area around Soledad was hot and dry in the summer and very cold in the winter. In the early 18’s an aqueduct was built to regularize the water supply, helping crops to grow, making life for both the friars and the Indians more manageable and less grueling. The content provided in this book, aligned to California state standards, will provide students with a greater insight into the story of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad and California’s mission system. This book is filled with excellent primary source materials and visuals, including illustrations, paintings, and maps.