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Mission La Purisima


Mission La Purisima



Mission La Purisima plaque
LA PURÍSIMA MISSION
HAS BEEN DESIGNATED A
REGISTERED NATIONAL
HISTORIC LANDMARK

UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE
HISTORIC SITES ACT OF AUGUST 21, 1935
THIS SITE POSSESSES EXCEPTIONAL VALUE
IN COMMEMORATING OR ILLUSTRATING
THE HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

1970



Models of the original mission buildings and lands

models of the mission models of the mission models of the mission

models of the mission MISSION LA PURISIMA IN 1825

  1 - WAREHOUSE (RUINS)
  2 - SOAP & TALLOW VATS
  3 - CHURCH
  4 - GUARDHOUSE, JAIL & APARTMENTS
  5 - SHOPS, OLIVE MILL & WEAVERY
  6 - POTTERY SHOP
  7 - GRIST MILL & KITCHEN
  8 - RESIDENCE BUILDING
  9 - BLACKSMITH SHOP (RUINS)
10 - INDIAN CEMETERY
11 - INFIRMARY BUILDINGS
12 - INDIAN GIRLS' DORMITORY
13 - INDIAN BARRACKS (RUINS)
14 - FILTER HOUSE
15 - TANNING VATS
16 - WATER SYSTEM - AQUEDUCT



Mission grounds Each mission of the
California Mission System was
designed to be a complete community.
The farms and workshops were capable
of providing for the needs of
1,000 or more residents.
In 1820, La Purisima Mission's
population was 874, including
Franciscan Padres, soldiers, skilled
craftsmen and Chumash Indians.

Mission grounds Mission grounds Mission grounds



Bell tower
Bell Tower
El Campanario

Two of La Purisima's original bells
hang in the belfry. The uppermost bell
is carved from wood. This was a mission
tradition practiced until a bronze bell
could be purchased.

Bell tower Bell tower Bell tower



Tallow vats
Tallow Vats
Las Pilas del Sebo

Large chunks of beef fat were melted
and purified in these vats. This rendered
tallow was stored in cowhide bags to
be traded to Yankee ships or used at
the mission for cooking, making candles
or soap. A CCC reproduction vat is
located to the right.

Tallow vats Tallow vats Tallow vats



El Cuartel El Cuartel El Cuartel

El Cuartel
El Cuartel

A squad of five soldiers lived in
these quarters to help maintain order
and to protect mission residents from
outside threats. The soldiers were called
"Leather Jackets" (Soldados de Cuera)
because they wore short protective
coats made of layers of animal hide.
Their weapons included lances,
swords, and flintlock muskets,
and they carried shields of hide.

El Cuartel El Cuartel El Cuartel



Corporal's Apartments
Corporal's Apartments

The Corporal of the Guard and
his family lived here. He was the highest
ranking soldier of the mission and was in
command of the military detachment.

Corporal's Apartments Corporal's Apartments Corporal's Apartments



Mayordomo's Apartment
Mayordomo's Apartment

The Mayordomo lived here with
his family. He was usually a retired
soldier or a local Indian of outstanding
ability and was responsible for the
mission's ranch operations.

Mayordomo's Apartment Mayordomo's Apartment Mayordomo's Apartment

Mayordomo's Apartment Mayordomo's Apartment



Weaving Room
Weaving Room

Over 100 people worked in the
mission's weaving industry. During a
period of about forty years, some 40,000
blankets were produced. They were used
locally, shipped to the Santa Barbara
Presidio, or traded to passing ships.

Weaving Room Weaving Room Weaving Room



Leather Shop
Leather Shop

Leather and rawhide or "cuero"
were vitally important. The leather
was made into boots, sandals, saddles,
and harnesses; the rawhide was used for
reatas (leather strings), bolas (pouches),
reins, and soldier's shields. Hinges and
other fastenings or bindings might
also be made of leather.

Leather Shop Leather Shop



Interior of the church building


Interior of the church building Interior of the church building Interior of the church building

Interior of the church building Interior of the church building Interior of the church building

Artwork Artwork Artwork



Padres' Room
Padres' Room

Each mission was administered by
two Padres. One was in charge of secular
concerns and the other was responsible
for spiritual matters. Their simple living
quarters reflected their practical
unfrivolous attitudes.

Padres' Room Padres' Room

Padres' Room Padres' Room



Mission Office
Mission Office

Here the various records were kept.
Even in that era paperwork was essential
in administering 300,000 acres of ranchland
and supervising some 1,000 people.

Mission Office Mission Office



Various pictures of the mission grounds


mission grounds mission grounds mission grounds

mission grounds mission grounds mission grounds



 
Mission La Purisima





Mission La Purisima is located northeast of Lompoc, off of Highway 246, on Purisima Road. See map.





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