Mission Nuestra de la Soledad was founded on October 9, 1791 by Father Fermin Lasuen, Presidente of the California Missions Chain. It was the 13th mission in the 21 mission chain in Alta California. It was named for Our Lady of Solitude. One of the chief purposes of this mission was to facilitate travel between Mission San Carlos de Borromeo de Carmelo and Mission San Antonio de Padua. The mission system was designed so that each mission was one day's travel from its neighbor. Show Local Indians The friendly Costanoan Indians gave the mission its name. In 1769, Juan Crespi and Gaspar de Portola visited the area on their way to Monterey. An Indian wandered by and spoke a word over and over. The word sounded like Soledad, which means loneliness in Spanish. The area did in fact seem lonely. The word solitude means loneliness and is one of the designations of the Virgin Mary, for whom the mission is named. There were very few Indians in the area when the mission was founded, which is why it took so long for the mission to be built. There were not enough Indians to do the work. Five years after its founding, the mission population was 727 and in 1820, the number of Indians converted to Christianity was 2,000. Back to the topEconomy of the mission The economy at Mission Nuestra de la Soledad was similar to the other missions in that they planted crops of wheat and corn. They also planted vineyards, and raised cattle and sheep. The agriculture was needed not only to maintain the mission community and the nearby Indians, but was used for trade and served to visitors to the mission. Broad fields supported herds of cattle, several thousand sheep, and five hundred horses. Back to the topThe communityClick here to see a video Inside the Mission Quadrangle Mission Nuestra de la Soledad was set up as a midway point between the missions San Carlos de Borromeo de Carmelo and Mission San Antonio de Padua. The community prospered at first and the Padres directed the Indians to build an irrigation system from the Salinas River to support the mission with water. The mission had troubles with crops and overflowing rivers. A disease called the plague killed many Indians, and others left to find a better life. When the padres were gone, the Indians abandoned the mission. Back to the topSecularization After Mexico won its independence from Spain, it found that it could no longer afford to keep the missions running as Spain had done. In 1834, Mexico decided to end the mission system and sell all of the lands. They offered the lands to the Indians who did not want the lands or could not come up with the purchase price. The lands were divided into smaller Ranchos and sold to Mexican citizens who were helpful during the war for independence. After nearly 30 years, the missions were returned to the Catholic Church. Although some of the missions had already been returned to the church, in 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed an Act declaring that all of the 21 missions in the California mission chain would become the property of the Catholic Church and have remained so since that time. The Mission Nuestra de la Soledad was sold in 1841 for $800. Back to the topRebirth For 90 years after the last padre left the mission it sat crumbling in the wind and rain. In 1954, when restoration was begun, only piles of adobe dirt were remaining. All that was left was the front part of the chapel. It is still being rebuilt and restored, archeologists still work at the mission trying to learn from the past. The ruins of the quadrangle, cemetery and some of the rooms can still be seen at the mission. Back to the topCurrent use Nuestra de la Soledad today serves a as mission of the parish of Soledad. It is open for visitors, but is not used as a parish church. Graphic tourClick below to see a video Inside the Mission ChurchBack to the top AssessmentMission Quiz Objective: answer 7 questions correctly. JavaScript required! 1. Who was the founder of Mission Nuestra Senora de La Soledad? Junipero Serra 2. Mission Nuestra Senora de La Soledad was founded....? October 9, 1791 3. What Indian Tribe was in the area of the Nuestra Senora de La Soledad Mission? Gabrielino 4. Mission Nuestra Senora de La Soledad was named by....? Junipero Serra 5. Who did the actual building of the missions? construction companies 6. What happened to the missions in 1834? They opened 7. Mission Nuestra Senora de La Soledad was established as a...? church for Indian prisoners 8. The irrigation system at the mission came from the Salinas River was...? built by soldiers 9. What happened in 1841? the plague killed all of the Indians 10. What did Abraham Lincoln agree to in 1863? Formally return the Mission lands to the Church The Mission Page | The Assessment Page |Main Page Other Nuestra Senora de la Soledad sites: California Mission Internet Trail The Spanish Missions of California California Missions This project written by Rob Garretson in partial fulfilment of the Master's of Arts Degree from Cal Poly Pomona Please send questions and/or comments to Mr. Garretson This page last updated on February 28, 2015 What was the first mission to be built?Franciscan priest Father Junipero Serra founded the first mission in 1769. This was known as Mission San Diego de Alcalá and was located in present-day San Diego.
Why was Nuestra Senora de la Soledad built?History of Mission Nuestra Señora de la Soledad
Mission Soledad founded in 1791 by Father Lasuén, was built to assist the other missions of northern California.
When was Nuestra Senora de la Soledad built?Description: This mission, founded October 9,1791 by Father Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, ministered to the Indians of the Salinas Valley.
What is Mission Soledad like today?Today, Mission Soledad is composed of the reconstructed South Wing and Chapel, ruinous original walls, the marked graves of Governor Arrillaga and Father Ibañez and the historic views which surround the site.
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