Mission Trail Today - The California Missions

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.

Mission Trail Today

Personal Observations I don't know how many times my father drove past this mission without stopping. I finally got to visit it for the first time in August 2001 with my then girl friend. It sits right on the edge of the quaint town of Solvang on a medium size site. What comes to mind as unusual is the garden with the Stations of the Cross. The floor plan is similar to Santa Barbara and other missions of a square with a chapel at one corner.

Mission Art & Photo-Art

Photography Gallery

Front. 7-30-01.

Chapel. 7-30-01.

Site from the grist mills. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Photo date: 4-3-04.

Front of church and bell tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

El Camino Real bell and Mission bell tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Bell Tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Bell Tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

North side of church and cemetery. Photo date: 4-3-04.

North side of church and cemetery. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Door to chapel. 7-30-01.

Detail of door to chapel. 7-30-01.

Unrestored column. 9-14-03.

Unrestored column. 9-14--03.

Colonnade. 7-30-01.

Olive Mill Wheel Photo date: 4-3-04.

Stations of the Cross walk. 7-30-01.

Station of the Cross overlooking the agricultural Santa Ines Valley. 9-14-03

Mission Santa Ines Grist Mills

Two mills and mission beyond. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Unfortunately, the Mission Santa Ines grist mills are not visible from Mission Santa Ines and are not generally open to the public. I do not want to discourage you from visiting the mills. If you are determined to visit the mills personally, as I was, be aware that the mills are on private property and you must obtain permission from Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation to visit the mills. Once they approve your visit, they will send you a map without which, you will not find the mills. You will need a solid vehicle as you need to cross a small river (no bridge), and drive a half mile along a rough undeveloped road. The only facilities provided is a port-a-potty. Or, enjoy these slides.

The Mills are not easily visible from the mission, only the roof tops can be seen above the foreground trees. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Approaching the west mill. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Approaching the east mill. Photo date: 4-3-04.

The plaque says... Old Grist Mill Built 1820 by Joseph Chapman, Bostonian, deserter from Pirate Bouchard who burned Ortega Adobe, Rancho de Refugio. Chapman arrested, sentenced to firing squad but paroled to Mission Santa Ines. As Master Workman, built this New England type Grist Mill. and duplicate at Mission San Gabriel. Married Guadalupe Ortega at Mission Santa Ines. Founding important California family. Marker placed by California Centenial Commission in cooperation with Reina Del Mar Parlor No. 126. N. D. G. W. Dedicated September 9, 1950

The mills are nestled at the edge of a large open field. It was very peaceful. Photo date: 4-3-04.

South side of mill site.

South side of mill site.

South side of west mill.

East mill.

East mill from across basin.

Basin for holding water for the mill wheels.

East mill from basin

Basin for holding water for the mill wheels.

West mill.

Looking west.

Water once entered the mill through this inlet.

Mill pond.

Basin.

Basin.

From east mill looking toward west mill with Mission Santa Ines beyond.

Wall of mill pond.

Wall of mill pond.

West mill south side looking east.

West mill south side looking east.

West mill south side corner.

West mill, south side, door.

West mill, south side, door.

West mill interior. Photo date: 4-3-04.

West mill interior. Photo date: 4-3-04.

West mill from east mill. Photo date: 4-3-04

West mill from east mill.

East Mill.

East Mill.

East mill, interior.

East mill, interior.

Mission Santa Ines as seen from the grist mills. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Sources:

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 ...

This page last updated 7-30-13

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