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[I swear I posted this here but a search came up empty]

Thanks to David K, I got a pristine copy of Antigua California from the local community college library.

Wow! What a read. Just about answers every question I ever had about California before the arrival of Father Serra and his fellow friars.

If you're interested, I've made two blog posts about what I've discovered that might be of interest to you. I already know David's been there because he corrected me on the date of the book.

As always, comments welcome.

Just posted another about the Jesuit Missionaries and who they lived.

I'd love your reaction and comments. It's at the link on my signature.

Originally Posted by sargentodiaz

Just posted another about the Jesuit Missionaries and who they lived.

I'd love your reaction and comments. It's at the link on my signature.

Don't see a link...?

Edit: You did post it in another thread, here it is: Father Serra's Legacy

If you're waiting for the second part of Father Mayorga's journey in Jesuit California, there will be a brief pause while I get hard to work on the Proof Copy of my third historical novel in Father Serra's Legacy.

For those that are unfamiliar with this, it's the last stage prior to actual publication.

And then, after posting the next part about Father Mayorga, I have to get to work to finish the fourth – and final – novel in the series.

Stay tuned.

How about a look at some of the Jesuit founded California missions? The Jesuits founded 17 missions in California... They did try before Loreto at both La Paz and San Bruno (1783-1785) without success.

(note: I don't say 'Baja California' because that name did not exist when the Jesuits were founding missions, the peninsula was simply 'California' then. Yes, 'Baja' was 'California' FIRST)

The stone mission buildings were constructed many years after the founding date, and sometimes at a different location...

Many photos from Jack Swords.

1) LORETO (1697):



Building walls original, roof and bell tower added in 1950's.

2) SAN JAVIER (1699):



Entire church original.

3) SAN JUAN BAUTISTA DE LIGUI (MALIBAT) (1705)



Last of remains following flash flood, 2001. Cross near site today.

4) SANTA ROSALIA DE MULEGE (1705)



Original church walls.

5) SAN JOSE DE COMONDU (1708)



Original church (largest in all of California) ruins was torn down in the 1930's. This is a side chapel off the main altar that was preserved.

6) LA PURISIMA (1720)



Photo of church in 1906. Nothing remains standing today.

7) PILAR DE LA PAZ (1720)



No ruins, exact site unknown, under modern buildings.

8) GUADALUPE (1720)



9) LOS DOLORES (1721)



The site called Apate, near the gulf coast.



The final site called Chilla or La Pasion.

10) SANTIAGO (1724)



1724 site foundations. 1736 site now a modern church.

11) SAN IGNACIO (1728)



Original church, started by Jesuits and completed by Dominicans.

12) SAN JOSE DEL CABO (1730)



Mission site illustrated by Jesuit Padre Ignacio Tirsch (at the site 1763-1768) when it was a visita of Santiago (1748-1768)



1918 photo of ruined church, built by the Dominicans. New church on site.

13) SANTA ROSA (TODOS SANTOS) (1733)



Modern church next door to original site.

14) SAN LUIS GONZAGA (1737)



Original church.

15) SANTA GERTRUDIS (1752)



Built by Dominicans after Jesuit expulsion.

16) SAN BORJA (1762)



Built by the Dominicans.

17) SANTA MARIA (1766)



First site at Calamajue (Oct 1766-May 1767)



Final site, adobe built by the Franciscans after Jesuit expulsion.

MORE data online: http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions
Book on the founding of ALL 48 California missions: http://oldmissions.com

WOW...Those pics are incredible....Gracias...

Originally Posted by kboy24

WOW...Those pics are incredible....Gracias...

Baja is incredible... and when you see the effort and construction from around 300 years ago in such a rugged and remote land, it is kind of humbling.

Want to see more? Visit our Old Missions Facebook page at http://facebook.com/oldmissions (please 'Like' us there). Also my Baja missions web site at http://vivabaja.com/bajamissions

Thank you!

Well, as always, David's pictures are great.

But, they don't even begin to tell the whole story.

I'm back to posting Father Mayorga's story.

Part III of California Jesuits - How did they do it?

Father Mayorga is horrified when he first sees the savage Indians in their nudity - whipping himself for his venal weakness.

Read @ Father Serra's Legacy

And, I'm certain if there's an error in it, David will find it.

Originally Posted by sargentodiaz

Well, as always, David's pictures are great.

But, they don't even begin to tell the whole story.

I'm back to posting Father Mayorga's story.

Part III of California Jesuits - How did they do it?

Father Mayorga is horrified when he first sees the savage Indians in their nudity - whipping himself for his venal weakness.

Read @ Father Serra's Legacy

And, I'm certain if there's an error in it, David will find it.

It is a nice blog... please continue as you have 70 years of stories before Father Serra arrived in California at Loreto!

Originally Posted by David K

It is a nice blog... please continue as you have 70 years of stories before Father Serra arrived in California at Loreto!

To be honest, I am only going to do with Father Mayorga and his experiences in founding a mission.

As you well know, I'm deep into this purely to get my head on straight when it comes to doing a total rewrite of the story of Captain Fernando Rivera.

My latest post is Antigua California Raped to Support Nueva California

Portolá took almost everything to support his expedition north and found the mission at San Diego and the other at Monterey.

It's amazing that any of the converts in Old California survived.

For those of you who have visited them, I'm certain you've seen for yourselves how poor they are. Can you imagine most of your livestock taken away?

For those who were reading it, I just posted part 2 of Antigua California raped for Nueva California

It explains why so many of the missions are either abandoned or why they are so lonely.

Thank you.

I hope you noticed that 'Baja Gringo' is retiring this forum, so please continue post your contributions on Baja Nomad's Historic Interests forum: BajaNomad Forums - "Peace, Love & Fish Tacos"

You could also keep posting them on our facebook group page:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/TalkBaja/