Mission San Francisco Solano

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Mission San Francisco Solano Sonoma, California By YourNameHere Mission San Francisco Solano's location is the most northern of all the missions along the El Camino Real. Address of the Mission: 20 E. Spain Street Sonoma, CA 95476 Mission San Francisco Solano was the last of the California missions to be built. It is the only California mission built during the Mexican rule. History: Prior to the building of this mission most of the bay area Indians had been gathered and sent to one of the southern missions. Father Jose Altimira , who was stationed at Mission Dolores in San Francisco, favored shutting down that mission and the San Rafael hospital mission. His suggestion was to build one further north where the weather was better. He felt that the poor health of many of the Indians was caused by the foggy, damp weather. His request was denied by Father Presidente Vicente Francisco de Sarria, the chief administrator of the California Missions. Many in the diocese felt the era of the mission was coming to a close. Later Governor Luis Arguello saw the potential of having a mission north of San Francisco. He felt that a mission presence would slow down the spread of the Russians who had established a colony at Fort Ross. Governor Arguello convinced Father Presidente Sarria to okay the building of a mission north of San Francisco in order to preserve their territory of Alta California. The Petaluma area was explored but inadequate water led Father Altimira to Sonoma Valley where an underground spring was located. The valley offered better weather, good sources of water, longer growing season, thousands of acres of grazing land and the availability of building materials. On July 4, 1823 , Father Altimira founded the new San Francisco Mission de Solano. It was named after Father San Francisco Solano, a 17th century missionary to Peru. Missions Dolores
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