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| Landmark #325 | San Luis Obispo County | Visited: June 8, 2013 | Plaque? YES! 🙂 |
| What is it? | The refurbished 5th mission (of 21) founded by Father Junípero Serra! |
| What makes it historical? | THE GUIDE SAYS: Founded by Fray Junípero Serra, OFM, first president of the California missions, Mission San Luís Obispo was the fifth in a chain of 21 missions stretching from San Diego to Sonoma. Built by the Chumash Indians living in the area, its combination of belfry and vestibule is unique among California missions. In 1846 John C. Frémont and his California Battalion quartered here while engaged in the war with Mexico.
OTHER TIDBITS: Founded in 1772, this mission was named in honor of St. Louis, who was bishop of Toulouse in the late 13th century! St. Louis was the son of the King of Naples, Charles II of Anjou, and was a held hostage in Aragon for seven years! Finally, at the age of 20, he was allowed to return home, where he forfeited his title and joined the Franciscan order, becoming bishop for six self-sacrificing months before dying suddenly of what was probably typhoid! This mission is still seated in the valley that Portolá called La Cañada de los Osos and is one of the few missions that never moved from its original spot! It is famous as the mission that introduced tile roofs, rather than thatched, because a lone Chumash warrior nearly destroyed several of the buildings with a burning arrow in 1776! |
| How can I Help the Helpers? | HERE’S HOW:
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| Where is this place? | LISTED DIRECTIONS: Monterey between Chorro and Broad Sts San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 ANNOTATIONS: From Los Angeles: ~189mi (305km) — 3.2hrs |
| When should I go? | Masses are held daily at 7:00 AM with additional Masses on weekdays at 12:10 PM, on Saturdays at 5:30 PM, and on Sundays at 9:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM, 6:00 PM, and 7:30 PM! You can also visit the museum daily from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM (5:00 PM in the summer)! |
