The Mission Play facts for kids
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The Mission Play was a famous three-hour show. It told the story of the California missions. John S. McGroarty wrote this play. It was first performed in 1912 in San Gabriel, California, right across from the historic Mission San Gabriel Arcángel. Later, in 1927, a special building called the San Gabriel Mission Playhouse was built just for this play. Over 2.5 million people came to see it!
The Story Behind The Mission Play
The idea for The Mission Play came from a growing interest in California's Spanish past. This interest was sparked by a popular book called Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson. Also, new railroads brought many people to Southern California.
How the Mission Inn Inspired the Play
In 1902, a hotel owner named Frank Augustus Miller changed his hotel's name to the "Mission Inn." He started building it in a style called Mission Revival architecture. This style looked like the old California missions. For 30 years, Miller traveled the world. He collected amazing treasures to display at his hotel.
During his travels, Miller saw a special play in Germany. It was likely the Oberammergau Passion Play. This play gave him the idea for The Mission Play. Miller took John S. McGroarty to Mount Rubidoux in Riverside. There, under a cross built for Father Serra, they planned the play.
Who Helped Fund The Play?
Many important people helped fund The Mission Play. These were wealthy individuals from Southern California. They included:
- Henry E. Huntington: A powerful railroad boss who also collected art and rare books.
- Henry Chandler: The son-in-law of the owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper. He later became its publisher.
- Edward L. Doheny: One of Southern California's first big oil businessmen.
These people helped make The Mission Play a huge success.
