Mission San Francisco Solano

This article is part of a series on the Spanish missions in California Mission San Francisco Solano, circa 1899.
HISTORY
Location:	Sonoma, California
Coordinates:	38° 17′ 38″ N, 122° 27′ 21″ W
Name as Founded:	La Misíon de San Francisco Solano de Sonoma
English Translation:	The Mission of Saint Francis Solano of Sonoma
Patron Saint:	Saint Francis Solanus of Montilla, Spain
Nickname(s):	"Sonoma Mission" "Last of the Missions"
Founding Date:	July 4, 1823
Founded By:	Father José Altimíra
Founding Order:	Twenty-first
Military District:	Second
Native Tribe(s): Spanish Name(s):	Coast Miwok, Patwin, Pomo, Suisunes, Wappo
Primordial Place Name(s):	Huchi
SPIRITUAL RESULTS
Baptisms:	1,008
Marriages:	263
Burials:	500
Year of Neophyte Population Peak:	1832
Neophyte Population:	996
Neophyte Population in 1832:	996
DISPOSITION
Secularized:	November 3, 1834
Caretaker:	California Department of Parks and Recreation
Current Use:	Museum
California Historical Landmark:	#3
Web Site:	http://www.napanet.net/~sshpa/mission.htm

Mission San Francisco Solano is a former religious outpost established by Spanish colonists on the west coast of North America in the present-day State of California (U.S. state). Founded on July 4, 1823 by Roman Catholics of the Franciscan Order (planned as an asistencia, or "sub-mission" of Mission San Rafael Arcángel), the settlement was the last in the twenty-one mission Alta California chain. Named after a Spanish-born missionary to the Indians of Peru known as the "Wonder Worker of the New World," the post was the northernmost of all of the Spanish missions. Designated as a California Historical Landmark, today the Mission operates as a museum administered by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

Another mission bearing the name San Francisco Solano was founded in 1700 in Coahuila, Mexico.

History

Mission Period (1769 – 1833)

During the years the Mission was active, General Mariano Vallejo resided in town. He was tasked with monitoring the activities of the Russians at their nearby settlement of Fort Ross (krepost' rus'), and with establishing peaceful relations with the Native Americans of the region. Vallejo helped to build the town of Sonoma and even paid for the rebuilding of the small Mission chapel. There were always soldiers and settlers in the town of Sonoma during the Mexican period. The Franciscan Fathers grew grapes and produced sacramental wine from the first vineyard in the Sonoma Valley, which was first planted in 1825.

Rancho Period (1834 – 1849)

By 1839, the Mission was in ruins and unoccupied. Through the years the Mission saw many different uses, among these a blacksmith's shop, a barn, and even a storeroom.

California Statehood (1850 – 1900)

In 1846, European settlers took over the town in what has come to be known as the "Bear Flag Revolt." It was during this time that the Mission was sold to a man who used the chapel entrance as a saloon and stored his liquor and hay in the chapel. The Mission eventually became a parish church serving the Pueblo and Sonoma Valley until it was sold to a private interest in 1881.

20th century and beyond (1901 – present)

In 1903, the Historic Landmark League bought the remains of Mission San Francisco Solano. Restoration was completed in 1913. The restored chapel burned in 1970. Today, the Mission is part of the Sonoma State Historic Park. It is open to visitors and has a small museum located in the padres' quarters.

Other designations

• National Register of Historic Places #NPS-75000489 — Sonoma Plaza District
• California Historical Landmark — San Francisco Solano Mission Vineyard