La Purísima Mission

https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=598 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Pur%C3%ADsima_Mission_State_Historic_Park La Purísima Mission State Historic Park contains La Purisima Mission, considered to be the most completely restored Spanish mission in California. Ten of the original buildings are fully restored and furnished, including the church, shops, quarters, and blacksmith shop. The mission gardens and livestock represent what would have been found at the mission during the 1820s. Special living history events are scheduled throughout the year. A visitor center features information, displays and artifacts, and a self-guided tour gives visitors the opportunity to step back in time for a glimpse of a brief, turbulent period in California’s history.



THE MISSION STORY The 11th of the 21 Franciscan Missions established in California, Misión la Purisima Concepción de Maria Santísima (Mission of the Immaculate Conception of Most Holy Mary) was founded by Father Presidente Fermín de Lasuén on December 8, 1787. During the Mission’s early years, over 1,500 Chumash Indians were baptized into the Catholic Church at La Purisima, making them new citizens of Spain. Large and small adobe buildings were built, a water system developed, crops and livestock were raised, and La Purisima grew and prospered. On December 21, 1812, however, a major earthquake destroyed many of the Mission buildings. Aftershocks and drenching rains damaged La Purisima beyond repair. The following year, the Mission community was relocated four miles to a site with a better water supply and climate, and safer access to El Camino Real, California’s main travel route. In a few years, La Purisima once again became a thriving community with approximately 800 Chumash Indian Neophytes (converts) living on Mission land. At times over 20,000 cattle and sheep roamed the hills along with hundreds of horses, mules, burros and other livestock. The padres developed shops for weaving, pottery, leatherwork and other crafts in addition to organizing the religious activities for the settlement. 1834 marked the end of the California mission era when the Mexican government took away control of the missions from the Catholic Church and gave it to civil authorities. La Purisima subsequently changed hands and uses a number of times by the end of the 19th century. EXPLORE CALIFORNIA HISTORY & HERITAGE Open Year Round La Purisima Mission is open daily* from 9 AM to 5 PM for self-guided tours, hiking and exploring. The Visitor Center is a great place to start your journey (open 10 AM to 4 PM, Tuesdays - Sundays and holiday Mondays). The Gift Shop (open 12 to 4 PM) offers souvenirs and hand-crafted items. STEP BACK IN TIME Admission is $6 per vehicle/$5 per senior vehicle. *Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Guided Tours When the property was given to public ownership by Union Oil Company in 1933, the Mission was in ruins. Preservation and reconstruction of the complex began in 1934, and lasted seven years under the Civilian Conservation Corps. Buildings and grounds were painstakingly restored and furnished to appear as they had in 1820. Guided tours of the buildings and grounds are offered Wednesdays - Sundays and on holiday Mondays. Meet at 1 PM at the Visitor Center for the 1.5 hour, 1 mile walking tour. Groups of 10 or more are asked to book two weeks in advance by calling (805) 733-3713. Today, La Purisima stands as the most extensively restored Mission in all of California with ten reconstructed buildings, furnished rooms, mission gardens, and livestock to represent life at the Mission during the 1820s. The nearly 2,000 acre historic state park is also home to 25 miles of hiking trails and a modern Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall. La Purisima is the only California mission with hiking trails, featuring more than 25 miles of trails to explore. LA PURISIMA Trail maps are MISSION LOMPOC available at the Entrance Station, Visitor Center and Gift Shop. Hiking Trails LA PURISIMA MISSION STATE HISTORIC PARK 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 733-3713 – Office (805) 735-5185 – Visitor Center (805) 736-3605 – Gift Shop lapurisimamission.org LA PURISIMA MISSION STATE HISTORIC PARK For places to stay and other Lompoc attractions: COME VISIT… LET HISTORY SURROUND YOU ExploreLompoc.com Lompoc, California 2018 2018 EVENTS CALENDAR LIVING HISTORY EVENTS During the Mission Life Day Event Series (below), costumed docents and staff offer an exciting opportunity to experience early mission life back in the 1820s with special demonstrations and activities. Traditional Mission Life Day March 17 Join costumed docents and staff for demonstrations and activities that may include tortilla making, candle making, soap making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, pottery, and blacksmithing. Natural History Day April 7 Explore the colors and critters of spring with our Park Rangers at La Purisima. Learn about the park’s wild inhabitants at the Mammal and Bird station, check out our Scales and Tales Reptile Encounter, and hit the trail for a wildflower/wildlife hike. For all ages! Hide & Tallow Mission Life Day July 21 Unplug your gadgets, and bring your kids to experience Mission life the old-fashioned way with special hands-on, kid friendly activities for all ages. Harvest Mission Life Day September 15 Come stomp grapes at the end-of-the-season grape harvest, and enjoy other traditional Mission activities. September 22 Escorted by candlelight, guests travel back in time to the 1820s on a walking tour, moving from scene to scene enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the evening at La Purisima Mission. Mission Gala & Auction October 6 Enjoy a lovely evening in the Mission garden