Author: desteede

Mission San Juan Capistrano is one of the most famous, as it has the tradition of celebrating the return of migrating swallows every year, which has been the subject of songs and films. This is traditionally celebrated on this day, 19 March, also called St. Joseph’s Day, every year.

The description states:
C384 – SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO
MISSION COURTYARD
This courtyard of the famous mission, with its surrounding ivy-covered walls, is where owls and swallows by the thousands take refuge. The arrival of the swallow on St. Joseph’s Day each year is a phenomenon anticipated by all.
–The mission has yet to be fully restored, though the chapel has been in constant use since its founding. The postcard likely dates from the 1950’s.

Mission San Antonio de Padua is in a more remote area of south Monterey County. This means the area around it is more consistent with the original conditions that existed when the mission was founded. It also was one of the later missions to be restored.

The description states:
MISSION SAN ANTONIO DE PADUA
Founded 1777, near Jolon, California
Only recently restored and rebuilt by the Franciscans who use it as a school fort their Order, the charming setting in an oak-studded valley remains the same as when founded by Padre Serra. The walls and unique brick facade of the church, and a few arches, remain of the original.
–This mission was also the first to have a tile roof, as earlier missions were wood or thatch before being upgraded. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the facade of the Mission San Carlos Borromeo chapel from the left side, viewed from the courtyard. The white adobe building has been converted to the welcome center.

The description states:
SAN CARLOS BORROMEO MISSION,
CARMEL CALIFORNIA
Since its establishment in 1770 it has remained an outstanding link of the historic Mission Trail. At the foot of its altar rest the remains of Fra. Junipero Serra, founder of California Missions.
–Father Serra chose this as headquarters for the mission chain which reached from San Diego to Sonoma. This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the front facade of the main chapel at the Mission San Carlos Borromeo. This mission was one of the earliest to be founded, and served as the headquarters of the mission chain during the time of Father Junipero Serra.

The description states:
MISSION SAN CARLOS DE CARMELO
Father Serra dedicated the site for this mission at Carmel in June, 1771. It was to be the new location of the San Carlos Borromeo Mission then established at Monterey. The San Carlos Borromeo Mission i known today at the “Royal Presidio Chapel.”
–This postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the reverse side of the Castro house, which faces the gardens. The balcony on this side appears to be a later addition, as it is not in the same construction style as the front, with support provided by vertical posts reaching to the porch below. There also appears to be an addition at the left, as the construction is also quite different from the main building.

The description states:
COURT YARD AT CASTRO HOUSE
San Juan Bautista
Erected in 1840-41 by General Jose Castro to house Secretary of Monterey District of Upper California House. Sold in 1848 to Patrick Breen of Donner Party.
–As indicated in the link, the Donner Party has it’s own unique place in California and Emigrant history. This card likely dates from the 1960s.

Shown here is the front of the Castro house, a typical adobe structure of the 19th Century Mission era. The long balcony is suspended primarily by roof beams from the first floor which extend out past the inner walls.

The description states:
CASTRO HOUSE
San Juan Bautista, California
This historical house, dating from times when California was a part of Mexico, is restored and open to the public.
–The postcard likely dates from the 1960s.

This image is of the original kitchen built at the founding of the Mission. The metal tools were used to remove pots from the oven and the fires, as the metal pots would be dangerously hot when used for cooking and often had no handles.

The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797 – San Juan Bautista, California
The Mission kitchen is the original, containing ancient cooking utensils, fire irons and the original bake oven. The walls feature built-in cupboards. Once completely plastered, now brick and adobe construction is in evidence.
–The presence of a ZIP code on the card indicates it is likely from the 1960s.

Further illustrating the exceptional width of the main chapel at Mission San Juan Bautista, this image shows one side aisle with its own altarpiece in the right  foreground, and another aisle altar in the left background, along with the main altar through the arch in the center. Most Mission sanctuaries are barely wide enough for one center walkway.

The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
Glimpse of a few of the historic art treasures in California’s largest old Mission church. Today 31 original paintings still adorn its walls and 7 wooden statues stand in its niches, all dating from about 1800. Above them, floating beams 40 feet long support the ceiling; in the tile floor beneath, wild animal tracks can still be seen.
–This card likely dates from the 1950s.

This image shows the extraordinary width of the chapel at San Juan Bautista as well as the monumental altar structure and painted arches.

The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
This is the largest California Mission church, and by many considered the most beautiful. Original painting hear pictured was done by the first American who, in 1816, settled in California — Thomas W. Doak, a sailor from Boston. With the help of the indians and their paints he created this superb artistic effect.
–This postcard most likely dates from the 1970s.

This begins a two week showing of several more missions in the original chain founded in the 18th Century by Father Junipero Serra and others. This specific image is of the convento wing of the Mission San Juan Bautista (Baptist) quadrangle and the main church building in the distance. The rest of the quadrangle was demolished or destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, but there are hopes to restore it now the foundations have been determined.

The description states:
MISSION SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
Founded 1797, San Juan Bautista, California
Other missions are restored, but what is here is original. This is the largest of all Mission churches, and the only one built with three aisles. Other buildings facing the old Spanish Plaza and contemporary with the mission are preserved separately as a State Historical Monument.
–This postcard most likely dates from the 1970s.