Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción facts for kids
A 1923 reconstruction of the original mission
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| Location | Winterhaven, California |
|---|---|
| Name as founded | La Misión Puerto de Purísima Concepción |
| English translation | The Mission Port of Purest Conception |
| Patron | The Immaculate Conception |
| Founding date | October 1780 |
| Founding priest(s) | Fathers Juan Barreneche and Francisco Garcés |
| Founding Order | Franciscans |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Quechan Yuma |
| Current use | Nonextant |
| Official name: Mission la Purísima Concepción (site of) | |
| Reference no. | #350 |
Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción was a Spanish settlement started in October 1780. It was located near what is now Yuma, Arizona, on the California side of the Colorado River. Father Francisco Garcés helped to establish this site.
This settlement was not part of the main group of Spanish missions in California. Instead, it was managed as part of the Spanish missions in Arizona.
What Happened to the Mission?
The mission and a nearby village, called a pueblo, did not get enough support from the Spanish government. Spanish settlers began to take the best lands. They also damaged the crops grown by the local Quechan (also known as Yuma) people. The settlers often did not respect the rights of the native people.
Why the Mission Ended
Because of these unfair actions, the Quechan people and their allies became very upset. They reacted by taking down the mission and the nearby Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer. This happened over three days, from July 17 to 19, 1781.
The Mission Site Today
Today, you won't find the original buildings of Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción. There is only a special historical marker. This marker is located on Picacho Road in Fort Yuma, California. It helps people remember where the mission once stood.
