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| The original inhabitants of
San Juan Capistrano were Indian tribes belonging to the Shoshone nation. The San Juan Capistrano Mission was founded in 1776, by Father Junipero Serra who named it after Giovanni de Capestrano (1386-1456), a warrior and missionary who was canonized in 1690. The Spanish missions of California were built to aid in the Spanish settlements and establish Spanish religion and culture in the New World often at the expense of the native Indian tribes. |
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In 1821 Mexico gained its independence
from Spain and the mission came under Mexican control. The Secularization Act passed in 1833 transferred ownership of church lands to the government. A system of land grants led to the Rancho system with the land in the hands of the wealthy and powerful. |
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| With the Treaty of Guadalupe
Hidalgo in 1848, California became part of the United States and in
1865 Abraham Lincoln returned control of the mission to the Catholic
Church. However, it wasn't until 1910 that the Mission was restored to its previous stature. |
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| A legend has grown regarding the birds
of Capistrano - cliff swallows - which have been returning to the
area for centuries. Each year on March 19, a celebration is held to
commemorate the return of the swallows to Capistrano.
Today, more than 200 years after its founding, the Mission San
Juan Capistrano still is a vital part of the town whose history
is still evident in many of its older buildings. |
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Unless otherwise noted images © Patriam Enterprises, Inc.
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