Mission San Miguel Arcangel is still operated by the Franciscans and its rural location allows the visitor a much more historical view of the conditions typical of the mission chain during the 18th and 19th centuries.

The description states:
MISSION SAN MIGUEL ARCANGEL
Founded 1797, San Miguel California
Once again in the charge of Franciscans, San Miguel preserves on the walls of its church the only unretouched paintings and decorations by Indian artists. The vegetable stains from which the aborigines made their paints remain bright to this day. The burros are popular fixtures.
–A remarkable feature of the mission is the arcade with intentionally variable arch heights and widths. The postcard likely dates from the 1950s.

This image is of another church nearby the ruined Great Stone Church of Mission San Juan Capistrano. This was built during the time of the founder, Junipero Serra, and is the only remaining structure known where Serra celebrated Mass.

The description states:
Serra Church 1776
Mission Altar carved from Cherry Wood
in Barcelona, Spain
OLD MISSION
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CALIFORNIA
Founded November 1, 1776
–This is a handcolored version of an original black and white photo. Additional images of this chapel can be seen here. The card dates to the 1940’s.

This image features the details and construction of the arched walkway common to many missions throughout the chain. As can be seen through the eroded plaster the pillars and arches are made of fired brick while the ceiling is wooden beams.

The description simply states: C27 Mission San Juan Capistrano
–The official website for Mission San Juan Capistrano shows some of the evolution of the mission site and the current ruined state of the main chapel. This card likely dates from the 1950s.

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.