Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer facts for kids
| Location | Imperial County, California, near Yuma, Arizona |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 32°48′59″N 114°30′54″W / 32.81639°N 114.51500°W |
| Name as founded | La Misión de San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer |
| English translation | The Mission of Saint Peter and Saint Paul of Bicuñer |
| Patron | The Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
| Founding date | January 7, 1781 |
| Founding priest(s) | Father Francisco Garcés |
| Founding Order | Franciscan |
| Native tribe(s) Spanish name(s) |
Quechan Yuma |
| Current use | Nonextant |
| Reference no. | #921 |
Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer was a Spanish mission. It was started on January 7, 1781. A Spanish priest named Francisco Garcés founded it. The mission's main job was to protect an important travel route. This route was called the Anza Trail. It crossed the Colorado River near what is now Yuma, Arizona.
The mission was located about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Yuma Crossing. This area is in present-day California. Even though it was in California, it was not part of the California mission chain. Instead, it was managed as part of the Arizona missions.
Contents
History of the Mission
Why the Mission Was Built
The Spanish built this mission and a nearby town (called a pueblo). They wanted to protect the Anza Trail. This trail was a key path between Spanish lands in what is now Mexico and California.
Problems with Local Tribes
The mission and town did not get enough support. Spanish settlers also took the best lands from the local Quechan people. They destroyed the Quechan's crops. The Spanish often ignored the rights of the native people living there.
The Attack on the Mission
Because of these problems, the Quechan people fought back. They were also known as the Yuma Indians. With their allies, they attacked and destroyed the mission. They also attacked the nearby Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción. This attack happened over three days, from July 17 to 19, 1781.
About 50 Spanish people were killed. This included Father Garcés and three other priests. Captain Fernando Rivera y Moncada also died. The Quechan people took the women and children captive.
What Happened Next
The Quechan victory was very important. It closed this river crossing for the Spanish. This made it much harder for messages and supplies to travel. It seriously hurt communication between California and colonial Mexico.
Where the Mission Site Is Today
Today, you can find a special marker at the site. It is a California Historical Landmark. The marker is on Imperial County Road S24. It is about 0.2 miles (0.32 km) west of the intersection of Levee Road and Mehring Road/11th Street. The site is 4.4 miles (7.1 km) northeast of Bard. This area is in southeastern Imperial County.
California Historical Landmark 921
The official marker for California Historical Landmark number 921 says:
- NO. 921 SITE OF MISSION SAN PEDRO Y SAN PABLO DE BICUNER – To protect the Anza Trail where it forded the Colorado River, the Spanish founded a pueblo and mission nearby on January 7, 1781. Threatened with the loss of their land, the Quechans (Yumas) attacked this strategic settlement on July 17, 1781. The Quechan victory closed this crossing and seriously crippled future communications between upper California and Mexico.
See also
- Spanish missions in Arizona
- Spanish missions in California
- California Historical Landmarks in Imperial County
- Spanish missions in the Sonoran Desert
- Spanish missions in Baja California
- California Historical Landmark
