MISSION DOLORES

Mission Dolores was founded on October 9, 1776,

by Francisco Palóu (a companion of Junípero Serra) and Co-founder Fray Pedro Benito Cambón,

both members of the de Anza Expedition,

which had been charged with bringing Spanish settlers to Alta (upper) California

and with evangelizing the local Natives, the Ohlone.

The present church was constructed 1782- 1791 and is now located at the intersection of Dolores and 16th streets.

HOW LARGE WAS THE MISSION AT ITS PEAK 1810-1820?
READ SARAH’S DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE MISSION

The mission flourished rapidly. The California missions were not only houses of worship, but they were also farming communities, manufacturers of all sorts of products, hotels, ranches, hospitals, schools, and the centers of the largest communities in the state.

The Indians lived in small communities, tilled the earth, processed wool into cloth, and received shelter, food, drink and apparel.

 

The Mexican War of Independence 1810-1821 strained relationships with the missions.

Missions were secularized.

Supplies were scant, the Indians suffered terrible losses from disease and cultural disruption.

By 1842 only 8 Indians were living at Mission Dolores.

MISSION DOLORES IN 1853

The California Gold Rush brought activity back to this area.

People wanted somewhere to go to get out of the bustling city life near the water with fresher air and less crowds.

The mission area was chosen but they needed a way to get there,

as there were swamps and sand hills in the way.

In the early 1850’s, two plank roads (along present-day Mission Street) were constructed from downtown San Francisco to the Mission area.

The swampy soft ground made this work very difficult;

one particular spot needed logs rather than pilings to build a bridge that nevertheless kept sinking.

Tolls of 25 cents to $1 were charged.

The Plank Road

HOW DOES SARAH DESCRIBE THE RIDE TO THE MISSION?

After the plank roads were built, the entire area became a popular resort and entertainment district.

Saloons, gambling halls, hotels and racetracks were constructed.

BUILDING THE PLANK ROAD

Go To Journal
Learn More
Go To San Francisco