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Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

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The Lonely Mission

Mission Nuestra Senora Dolorosisima de la Soledad, thirteenth in the chain of Alta California missions, Soledad Missionwas established on October 9, 1791, at the site of an Esselen Indian village recorded by Pedro Font as Chuttusgelis. A temporary church was constructed in 1791 shortly after its founding, and the first annual report was issued in 1794. No mention of construction on ranchos or outlying lands was made in 1794, but an unusual baptism was recorded in that the recipient was a 20 year old man who was the son of Nootka parents, natives of northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia. The following years, to 1797, during the administration of the unpopular Padre Diego Garcia, were years of unhappiness at the mission according to Bancroft's writers. Engelhardt notes that those years coincided with a period of harsh drought conditions, contributing greatly to accusations of deprivation and abuse of the neophytes by Padre Garcia's critics. In 1802 an epidemic and a triple murder contributed to deaths which for a period of time numbered five and six per day. By 1805, however, the neophyte population had peaked at 688, then slowly dwindled to 598 by 1810. (Text and image from mission's official site.)

Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad

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The Ohlone the original residents of the valley, were converted and brought to live here, followed by Esselen and Yokuts. Governor José Joaquín de Arrillaga was buried in the chapel after he died on July 24, 1814 during a visit to the Mission. Though prosperous in its early years, the Mission declined after 1825. Nevertheless, Father Vicente Francisco de Sarría stayed on in poverty to serve the Indians until his death in 1835, when the mission was secularized. This was an attempt by the Mexican government to turn the California missions over to the Indians on whose lands the missions had been established.

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Official Homepage of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
A single page put out by the tourism board of the City of Soledad. Has directions to Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad but no other contact information.
California Missions: Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Very brief one page history of Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad.
The California Missions Site: Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
More in-depth history of Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad. Includes a few photographs and information on how to cite the page for reports.
California Missions On-Line Project: Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Has a brief paragraph on a variety of subjects related to Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad. Also has a short understanding assessment quiz.
Virtual Tour ofMission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Mr. Missions' photographs of Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad from nearly all angles.
Mission Visual Journey: Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Stunning photographs of Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad presented in a beautiful slideshow by the California Missions Resource Center.
California Travel: Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad
Starting from the Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad facts page, you will find links to a professionally written mission history and description of the grounds.
Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad eBook
A downloadable ebook specifically about Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad hosted by the Peninsula Library System. Requires Adobe Reader.

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If you have mission project video of Mission Nuestra Senora de la Soledad, leave me a message and I'll link to your video!
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If you can't make it out to the mission, check out some of Robert English's photographs. A partial photoset is posted here with his permission. Take a peek at the outside and inside, including an organ and piano in the mission museum. Click over to see his full set.
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  • Hallo_fantage Mar 28, 2012 @ 7:54 pm | delete
    i found 1000% nothing i wanted!!
  • SayGuddaycom Jan 19, 2012 @ 2:38 pm | delete
    Please consider joining www.Squidoo.com/about-say-gudday
  • LadyGaga244 Apr 13, 2011 @ 6:08 pm | delete
    Pretty mission but cant find what i want.
  • kitty Dale Feb 20, 2011 @ 2:29 am | delete
    I wish there were measurements to the church & buildings, could not find measurements anywhere.
  • krissy Apr 4, 2009 @ 8:14 pm | delete
    a litte
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As a Californian, I have been through the missions project several times with my siblings. I know that it's an exciting part of the 4th grade curricul... more »

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