Mission Trail Today - The California Missions
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This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.
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Mission Trail Today
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2003 - 2013.
Select photographs of my many visits to the California Missions build by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.
#18, San Luis Rey de Francia
Founded June 13, 1798
by Father Fermin Lasuen
in San Luis Rey
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Updated
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Personal Observations
I have visited Mission San Luis Rey three times, all within a thirteen month period. We first visited on my wife's birthday in 2002. We stopped again early one morning a year later on the way to San Diego and the mission wasn't yet open for the day. We returned again two weeks later on a trip that included the two asistencia missions in San Diego County. The mission is on an open site and easily visible from State Highway 76. Continuing east about 30 miles along Highway 76 will take you to Mission Pala, Mission San Louis Rey's asistencia.
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Mission Art & Photo-Art
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History
Mission San Luis Rey is referred to as the King of the Missions because of it's size, the mission was the largest building in California. It was named after St. Louis IX, King of France. It was founded on June13th, 1798 by Father Fermin Lasuen. Fifty-four Indians were baptized on that day. Father Antonio Peyri administered Mission San Luis Rey from the day of its founding until his departure in January 1832. In July, construction of the first permanent structure began.
The mission was self-sustaining, its buildings were constructed of local materials, such as adobe, fired clay bricks and wooden timbers.
The mission's agricultural assets included over 50,000 head of livestock. A large part of the mission lands was devoted to Grapes, oranges, olives, wheat, and corn. Irrigation water was channeled from the river just north of the mission. Mission San Luis Rey had reached it's highest prosperity by 1818. It had six outlying ranches including Pala, Santa Margarita, San Jacinto, Santa Ysabel, Temecula, and San Pedro. San Luis Rey eventually established Mission San Antonio de Pala as an asistencia mission about 20 miles east. An asistencia mission was an extension or sub-mission and Mission San Antonio de Pala was one of two extension missions in the San Diego District.
Father Peyri planted some South American seeds which sprouted into the first pepper trees in California. One of these trees still grows in the west enclosure (pictured below).
The church measured 30 feet by 189 feet. It was constructed adobe and faced with burnt brick. The mortuary chapel is considered unique.
Following secularization, Mission San Luis Rey came under the control of various administrators, several of whom acquired personal title to mission lands, leaving little for the intended Luisenos. The U.S. military used Mission San Luis Rey as a base of operations from 1847-1857. When California became part of the United States in 1850, the Catholic Bishop of California petitioned the U.S. government for the return of the missions. The mission was returned to the Catholic Church in 1865 by Abraham Lincoln, but it remained abandoned until 1892.
In 1892 a group of Franciscans from Zacatecas, Mexico, seeking refuge in California, were assigned to San Luis Rey under the guidance of Father Joseph Jeremias O'Keefe. Father O'Keefe has been referred to as the rebuilder of the mission, as he oversaw from 1892 to 1912, repair of the church and rebuilding of the permanent living quarters on the foundations of the old mission. Restoration has continued since Father O'Keefe's death. The quadrangle was partially rebuilt in 1949 to use as a Franciscan college which serves today as a Retreat Center. During the 1950's and 60's the Friars uncovered the soldiers barracks and the lavanderia, hidden over the years by dirt and debris. In 1984 a restoration effort to stabilize and preserve the exterior of the church building was completed. There is an ongoing conservation of paintings and sculptures. Archaeological investigations continue.
Address and Directions
4050 Mission Avenue
San Luis Rey, CA 92068
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia is located near the cities of San Luis Rey, Oceanside, and Carlsbad, on State Highway 76, about five miles east of I-5. You can see the mission from State Highway 76. Turn noth on Rancho Del Oro Drive.
Photography Gallery
Front of church. Photo date: 1-10-04.
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Church. Photo date: 12-30-02.
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Front. Photo date: 1-10-04.
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Front. Photo date: 1-10-04.
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Church. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Front and fountain. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Cemetery wall with church beyond. Photo date: 1-10-04.
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Front with bell in foreground. Photo date: 1-10-04.
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Front. In 1830, this was the largest building in California. Photo date: 12-30-02.
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Front. Photo date: 12-30-02.
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Statue in church facade. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Bell Tower. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Baptismal. Photo date: 12-30-02.
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Flag pole and entrance to cemetery. Photo date: Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Statue, Jesus carrying cross. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Old wall and first pepper tree in California. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Old wall and first pepper tree in California. Photo date: 12-30-02.
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Pepper tree. Photo date: 1-24-04
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Pepper tree. Photo date: 1-24-04
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Lavanderia. Largest of the missions. Photo date: 12-30-02.
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Lavanderia. Largest of the missions. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Lavanderia. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Lavanderia. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Lavanderia. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Lavanderia. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Unrestored buildings. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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Unrestored buildings. Photo date: 1-24-04.
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This web site was created because of my love and respect for the California Missions. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...
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This page last updated 7-30-13
This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2003 - 2013, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.
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This site is a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.
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