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| Landmark #250 | Santa Clara County | Visited: August 27, 2016 | Plaque? NO. 🙁 |
| What is it? | A tall, white, stone cross! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: The first mission in this valley, Mission Santa Clara de Thamien, was established at this site by Franciscan Padres Tomás de la Peña and Joseph Antonio Marguia January 17, 1777. Here, at the Indian village of So-co-is-u-ka, they erected a cross and shelter for worship to bring Christianity to the Costanoan Indians.
OTHER TIDBITS: Mission Santa Clara de Asis, as we know it today, is the fifth attempt to pay homage to Saint Clare of Asisi! The first was destroyed by a flood from the Guadalupe River, the second was a temporary site while the missionaries scouted better locations, the third was destroyed by an earthquake, and the fourth was another temporary site while the fifth church was being built! Fifth time’s the charm so far! “Thamien” is a derivation of Tamyen, one of the eight linguistical divisions among the Ohlone people and what most of the new mission’s native acolytes called it! So-co-is-u-ka meant “laurelwood” in the same languge! The bridge in question spanned the Guadalupe River nearby! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: SE corner of Central Expressway and De la Cruz Blvd Santa Clara, CA 95050 ANNOTATIONS: 2501 De La Cruz Blvd From Los Angeles: ~344mi (554km) — 5.8hrs |
| When should I go? | Whenever the mood strikes you! |