La Purísima Mission State Historic Park — Attraction in Lompoc

La Mision de La Purisima Concepcion de la Santisima Virgen Maria (The Mission of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Blessed Virgin Mary) was the second mission founded by Father-President Fermin Lasuen in 1787 (founder of 9 of the 21 missions). It was the 11th mission along CA's Camino Real. It was located near a village of the native Chumash.

By 1803, it is recorded that La Purisima Mission had a Chumash neophyte population of 1,436 individuals. They raised sheep, cattle, horses, goats and mules. They grew wheat, corn, beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas (garbanzos) and grapes.

A violent earthquake in 1812 so severely damaged the Mission that its location was moved 4 miles away, to its current site. Because of the previous earthquake damage, it was decided to abandon the typical mission architectural design based on the quadrangle (four sides of buildings surrounding an open center court). Instead, La Purisima was rebuilt using a straight line. It is the only CA mission to have this linear architectural design. The new La Purisima Mission was rebuilt between 1813-1818.

In 1824, the Chumash Rebellion expanded from Mission Santa Ines to La Purisima. Neophyte rebels took over of the mission for one month. Soldiers from Monterey fought to reestablish control in a battle where it was reported that 1 soldier and 16 Chumash were killed. Afterwards, 7 Chumash were sentenced to death.

Secularized in 1834 after Mexico took control of Alta California, most of La Purisima's lands were sold quickly. The mission was returned to the Catholic Church in 1874. But without lands to work, most Chumash had moved away. Without the Chumash neophytes, the Catholic Church struggled to keep La Purisima open. It rapidly began to deteriorate and turned into ruins.

Reconstruction of La Purisima occurred from 1934 to 1942 using the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). La Purisima Mission is now a California State Historic Park. It is considered to be the most complete restoration of any CA mission.

Situated about 18 miles west of Highway 101 (use Highway 246), La Purisima is approximately 30 miles west from the Mission Santa Inez in Solvang. Visiting these two missions in a day are an easy duo. La Purisima has a wonderful state-run visitor center that certainly caters to student trips. If bus loads of students aren’t to your liking then plan accordingly. La Purisima was rebuilt using original methods of reconstruction, allowing students and adults alike to see mission life as it might have been. On a side note, if one travels to the other side of Lompoc (alongside the railroad tracks) is a historical plaque where in original...

The 11th of a 21 Franciscan missions established in California mission La Purisima Concepcion de Maria Santisima mission of the Immaculate Conception of the most holy Mary was founded by father Presidente Furman de lasuen on December 8th 1787 during the missions early years over 1,500 Comanche Indians were baptized into the Catholic church at La Purisima making them new citizens of Spain large and small Adobe buildings were built a water system develop crops and livestock are raised in La Purisima crew Stratford on December twenty one 1812 Harbor and major earthquake destroyed many of the mission building aftershocks and drinking reyann's damage La Purisima Beyond repair the following the admission committee was relocated 4 miles to a site with a better water supply and climate and safer access to El Camino Real California is Maine travel route in a few years left Prisma once again became a thriving Community with approximately 800 to match India neophytes Converse living on the mission land at times over twenty thousand cattle and sheep from the hills along with hundreds of horses mules pros and other livestock the Padres develop Shop's for weaving Pottery lot of work and other crafts in addition to organizing the religious activities for the sediment in 1834 Mark the end of California mission error when the Mexican Government took away control of the missions from the Catholic church and gave it to Civil Authorities La purisma substantially change hands and uses a number of times by the end of the 19th century when the property was given to public ownership by Union Oil Company in 1933 the mission was in Ruins preservation and reconstruction of the complex begin in 1934 and lasted 7 years out of the Civilian Conservation corpse buildings and grounds for painstakingly restored and furnished to appear as they did in 1820 today my prism has the most expensive Cyrus George mission Olive California with Tim's free construction buildings refurnish homes Mission Gardens and livestock to represent life at the mission during the 1820s the nearly 2,000 acres George snap is home to 25 miles of hiking trail Andie modern Visitor Center and...

This is a reconstruction of a working mission. The views are sensational. The gardens are well marked and laid out for optimal education. Never been inside the gift shop because it hasn't been open either time I've been there.

The spirit is in the trees. Large owls, hawks, and eagles have flown directly over my head - and I mean RIGHT ABOVE by only feet.

There are hiking trails but I haven't hiked them yet. I'll relay the message back when I do.

Simply sensational!!

Update July 2022: everything is still as stated above. The gift shop still hasn't been open any of the multiple times I've been there and I spend so much time exploring the botanical portions of the grounds that I still haven't explored the hiking trails yet either. Took my favorite 6-year old with me today and he kept saying, "Look! This is so cool!" The park ranger (Brainwright, I think, female with glasses) was super welcoming and kind and talked to my 6-year old traveling companion in the most thoughtful, generous, and educational manner. The animal caretaker (Caitlyn, I think) was equally kind, generous, and knowledgeable and moved the animal feeding locations so my young companion could get a good look. She was so wonderfully patient and answered all of his questions.

I would like more Native American history of the mission - particularly the starkly truthful history of the Native Americans before, during, and after Spanish colonialism.

Also on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the summer (late June to early August) from 1000-1200 there is a free junior ranger program.

And on Wednesdays from 1700-2000 in the nearby village of Solvang there is live music in the park and a farmers market in the same location that seems to end around 1800. Not sure what time the farmers market starts because we stumbled upon it while the vendors were packing up.

And between the mission and Solvang there is an ostrich/emu farm where you can feed the birds and buy...