Site of original mission and remaining ruins of La Purisima Mission facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Site of original mission and remaining ruins of La Purisima Mission |
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Ruins of Mission La Purisima Concepcion, ca.1885-1904
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| Location | 541 South F Streetm Lompoc, Santa Barbara County, California |
| Official name: Site of original mission and remaining ruins of La Purisima Mission | |
| Designated | June 29, 1979 |
| Reference no. | 928 |
The Original Mission La Purísima was an important Spanish mission in California. It was founded a long time ago, on December 8, 1787, by a Spanish missionary named Fermín Lasuén. This mission was the eleventh one built in California by the Spanish.
The mission was located in Lompoc, California, and was a big part of the area's history. Sadly, it was destroyed by a powerful earthquake on December 12, 1812. Today, you can still see some old ruins at the original site. Because of its history, the site is now a special place called a California Historical Landmark.
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Building the First Mission
The first Mission La Purísima was quite large. It was built like a big square, about 330 feet on each side. The buildings were made from adobe bricks, which are bricks made from mud and straw.
Inside this square, there was a big church chapel. There were also homes for the two priests, six soldiers, and many Chumash Indian families. At its busiest time, about 1,520 Chumash people lived at or near the mission.
Life at the Mission
The mission was south of the Santa Ynez River. It had huge fields for growing crops and large areas for animals to graze. The people living at the mission worked together to grow food and raise animals.
The original mission was also connected to the Presidio of Santa Barbara. A presidio was like a fort where soldiers lived. This helped protect the mission and the people living there.
The Big Earthquake of 1812
On December 12, 1812, a very strong earthquake hit the area. This earthquake completely destroyed the original Mission La Purísima. It was a terrible event that changed everything for the mission.
After the earthquake, the people decided to move the mission. They built a brand new Mission La Purísima about three miles away. This new mission is the one most people visit today.
A Special Historical Site
Even though the original mission was destroyed, its ruins are still important. The site is recognized as California State Historical Landmark No. 928. This means it's a protected place that tells us about California's past. It helps us remember the history of the Spanish missions and the people who lived there.
