San Gabriel Mission, California
Pacific Novelty Co. of San Francisco, California produced this unused souvenir postcard found in a shoe box jumble at a local antique mall. Printed at the bottom on the front of the card is: “No. 149 – The Steps at San Gabriel Mission, California. Founded in 1771.” This would be a typical card purchased when visiting a site such as this mission. No other credits or information is available on the divided back of the card.
San Gabriel Mission is a historic landmark. The Spanish Empire founded the mission on the Nativity of Mary, 8 September 1771. It was the fourth of what became 21 Spanish missions in California. Named after the Archangel Gabriel it is sometimes referred to as the “Godmother of the Pueblo of Los Angeles." Antonio Cruzado, who was a Franciscan missionary in California, designed the building that has capped buttresses and tall narrow windows. A large stone cross can be found in the center of the Campo Santo (cemetery). In addition to designing the mission building Cruzado is credited with planting the first California orange grove in 1804.
The steps or stairway indicated on the card lead to the choir loft. The bell wall next to the stairway was built after the original bell structure toppled during the 1812 San Juan Capistrano earthquake. The newer tower is larger and has six bells.
One legend concerning the founding of the mission states that when confronted by a large group of native Tongva people who were intent on driving away the strangers, one of the priests laid a painting of “Our Lady of Sorrows” on the ground for all the see. The natives were so moved by the beauty of the picture that they made peace with the missionaries. Today the 300-year-old painting hangs in front and slightly to the left of the old high altar in the Mission’s sanctuary. It is not known how many of the native people embraced Catholicism.
For additional information, see:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission_San_Gabriel_Arc%C3%A1ngel
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antonio_Cruzado
