California History is Alive and Well in Orange County
A lot of what California has to offer may seem new, but the state also has a long colonial history, with settlements dating back to before the Revolutionary War. Some of the most striking symbols of that past can be found in the 21 missions that dot the state, including Orange County’s own Mission San Juan Capistrano. Now, the Orange County Register reports, a $3.3 million project is underway to renovate the historic mission, making it friendlier to visitors, and preserving it for the future.
Founded in 1776, the Mission was the seventh established in New Spain under the auspices of the Franciscans and the King of Spain. Set up to be a self-sufficient community and colonial outpost, each mission was more or less a day’s journey from the last. Moving northward along “El Camino Real” or “The Royal Road,” the 21 missions stretch from Baja California all the way up to the Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma, California. While their history is complicated—many lives were lost in conflicts between Native Americans and Spanish settlers—the Missions remain an important link to how California became the rich, multicultural state it is today.
Along with being the only Mission in Orange County, the Mission San Juan Capistrano is significant in another way: its Serra Chapel is one of the last structures still standing where Father Junípero Serra is known to have prayed. A Franciscan priest, Father Serra oversaw the founding of many of the Missions. Much later, in 1988, he was named a saint by Pope John Paul II, and to this day, roads and landmarks in many California cities bear Serra’s name.
Today, the Mission hosts as many as 300,000 visitors a year. The city of San Juan Capistrano hopes that the new renovation project will help better integrate the historic landmark with its lovely downtown. Every effort has been made to integrate new spaces built as part of the renovation, like the gift shop, with the historical structures.
The Mission is always worth a visit. Whether to step inside the chapel or to witness the famous “miracle” of the swallows return on March 19th, there is always something to see. All in all, if you’re considering a move to Orange County, the Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of many pleasant surprises. Call Orange County Movers to make sure your move is another one!