California Mission Postcards

Picture postcards became popular in America as souvenirs and message sending devices in the late nineteenth century. Their minimal cost, portability, and accessibility enabled the tourist an opportunity to send greetings back home and to elicit excitement about the tourist attraction being enjoyed. Postcards also offered the tourist an opportunity to retain particular images as personal mementos of their travels. After the turn of the twentieth century federal postal regulations allowed the private production of postcards. The numerous postcard-printing and publishing businesses flourishing during this time included the Curt Teich Company, the Detroit Publishing Company, the Edward H. Mitchell Company, and the Van Ornum Colorprint Company. Examples of the work of each of those companies are included in the following group of postcards. They represent a collection of a larger variety of postcards in the Museum’s Graphic Arts Collection; most were published and collected during the early 20th century.

The following group of California mission postcards includes views associated with the twenty-one missions established between 1769 and 1823 by Spanish Franciscan missionaries along the California coast from San Diego to San Francisco.

In 1769, under the direction of King Charles III of Spain, Father Junipero Serra (1713-1784) of the Spanish Franciscan order was called upon to assist the colonization of Alta California, the area including the present day state of California. Serra’s directive was to establish missions to assist the Roman Catholic conversion and control of the area lands and native peoples. After Mexican independence from Spain in 1821, and by the mid-1830s, the Mexican government, then responsible for the territory, secularized and sold the missions in order to discourage their economic monopolies. The region including what is now the state of California was purchased by the United States government in 1848; California became a state in 1850. Today after neglect and earthquake damage most of the California missions have been preserved or rebuilt through the establishment of various California mission historical societies and preservation committees. The beauty of their landscapes, architecture, and historical importance, continues to inspire visitors with glimpses of a romanticized and controversial Spanish past. Many mission buildings now include both parish churches and museums and are popular tourist attractions.

This postcard view of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The firm used the term "photochrom" and later "colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was the eighteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. Dedicated in 1798, this mission was established to convert American Indians of the Kumeyaay and Luiseno tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church, a museum, and a retreat site.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0312
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0312
This postcard view of Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan, Calif. was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Juan Bautista, San Juan, Calif. was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The firm used the term "Photochrom" later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Founded on June 24, 1797 by the Franciscan Order, the Mission San Juan Bautista was the fifteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823. It was established to convert American Indians of the Mutsun, or Costanoan, and Yokuts tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0313
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0313
This postcard view of Mission San Rafael, Arcangel was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Rafael, Arcangel was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the word "photochrom" and later "colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
The mission was founded in 1817, the twentieth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. It was established as a medical facility to treat American Indians of the region and convert them to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a small museum and is adjacent to the St. Raphael Parish church and school.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0316
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0316
This postcard view of Mission La Purísima Concepción was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission La Purísima Concepción was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The firm used the word "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe their color printing processes.
Mission La Purísima Concepción is located northwest of Santa Barbara in Lompoc, California. It was the eleventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission is manage by the California State Parks system and serves as one of two state park facilities formerly operated as missions. The other is the Mission San Francisco Solano in Sonoma, Calif.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0317
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0317
This postcard view of Mission Santa Cruz was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Santa Cruz was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. It used the term "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791, is located near today's city of Santa Cruz. It was the twelfth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was built to convert American Indians of the Costanoan and Yokuts tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission buildings include a parish church, a chapel, and the original dormitory.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0318
catalog number
1986.639.0318
accession number
1986.0639
This postcard view of Mission San Jose de Guadalupe was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Jose de Guadalupe was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "Photochrom" later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Jose (formerly and incorrectly assigned the name "Guadalupe") is located near the city of Fremont. It was the fourteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Miwok, Patwin, Costanoan, and Yokuts tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0319
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0319
This postcard view of Mission San Miguel was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Miguel was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel, located in San Miguel, was the sixteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was established to convert American Indians of the Salinan tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0320
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0320
This postcard view of Mission Santa Inés was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Santa Inés was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission Santa Inés (also Ynez) was dedicated in 1804, and is situated north of Santa Barbara. It was the nineteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be built in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0321
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0321
This postcard view of Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. It used the term "Photochrom" and later "Colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Francisco Solano De Sonoma founded in 1823, was the last of twenty-one missions built by Spanish Franciscans in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was established to convert American Indians of the region to Catholicism.
Today the mission is a historical site managed by the Sonoma State Historic Parks system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0322
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0322
This postcard view of Mission Santa Clara de Asis was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Santa Clara de Asis was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. It used the term "photochrom" and later "colortone" to describe its color printing processes.
The postcard portrays an image of daily life at the Mission Santa Clara soon after its founding in 1777. The mission was the eighth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823. It was established to convert American Indians of the Bay Miwok, Tamyen, or Costanoan, and Yokuts tribes to Catholicism.
A college and a church now occupy the original site, located at the southern end of the San Francisco Bay.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0323
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0323
This postcard view of Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "photochrom," later "colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, located in San Luis Obispo County, was founded in 1772 by Fr. Junípero Serra. It was the fifth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0324
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0324
This postcard view of Mission San Antonio de Padua was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Antonio de Padua was printed by the Curt Teich Company using photomechanical processes. The card was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "photochrom," later "colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1771, is located on the Salinas River south of King City in Monterey County. It was the third of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Salinan tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0325
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0325
This postcard view of Mission San Carlos was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Carlos was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured printed postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "photochrom," later "colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rio Carmelo is located near the town of Monterey, the original capital of Spanish and later Mexican, California. Mission San Carlos was the second of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. It was established to convert American Indians of the Esselen and Ohlone, or Costanoan, tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0326
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0326
This postcard view of Mission Santa Barbara was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Santa Barbara was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published in about 1914 by the I. L. Eno Company in San Diego, Calif.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The company used the term "photochrom," and later "colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission Santa Barbara was founded in 1786, the tenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was built to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church, a museum, a Franciscan friary, or monastery, and a retreat site.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0327
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0327
This postcard view of San Carlos Borroméo (El Carmel Mission) was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Carlos Borroméo (El Carmel Mission) was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. The card was published about 1914 by the I. L. Eno company in San Diego, Calif.
The Chicago-based Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. It used the term "photochrom," later "colortone,' to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rio Carmelo is situated on the Monterey Peninsula in Carmel, Calif. It was the second of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Esselen and Ohlone, or Costanoan, tribes to Catholicism. It was moved from its original location in Monterey to its present site in 1771.
Today the mission in Carmel Valley serves as a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0331
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0331
This postcard view of San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1914 by the I. L.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Juan Capistrano was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1914 by the I. L. Eno company in San Diego, Calif.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with several publishers. The firm used the term "photochrom," later "colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located in the town of the same name. It was the seventh of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was founded for the conversion to Catholicism of American Indians of the Luisen, or Juaneno, tribe.
Today the mission compound includes a parish chapel and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1914
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0332
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0332
This postcard view of Mission San Buenaventura was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Buenaventura was printed by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes. It was published about 1915 by the Eno & Matteson company in San Diego.
The Curt Teich Company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with many publishers. The firm used the term "Photochrom," later "Colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission San Buenaventura is located in the city of Ventura. It was the ninth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Chumash tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission serves as a parish church and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1908
graphic artist
Eno, I. L.
Eno, I. L.
ID Number
1986.0639.0349
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0349
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was printed and published by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes in about 1913.The company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with many publishers.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was printed and published by the Curt Teich Company of Chicago using photomechanical processes in about 1913.
The company manufactured postcards between 1898 and 1978 in association with many publishers. It used the term "Photochrom,' later "Colortone," to describe its color printing processes.
Mission Dolores, originally known as Mission San Francisco de Asís, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco. Founded in 1776, the mission was the sixth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be founded in California between 1769 and 1823. It was established to support the conversion of American Indians of the Bay Miwok, Coast Miwok, and Patwin tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission site is run by the Sonoma State Historical Park system. Services are still held in the mission building and in the adjacent, more modern, Basilica.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1910
ca 1913
graphic artist
Curt Teich & Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0375
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0375
This postcard view of Mission San Fernando was printed using photomechanical processes by the B. N. Company in about 1915.The B. N.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission San Fernando was printed using photomechanical processes by the B. N. Company in about 1915.
The B. N. Company manufactured color postcards.The company trademark appeared on the back, and consisted of the letters BNCO in white on a black background.
Mission San Fernando Rey de España, founded in 1797, is located in the San Fernando Valley. It was the seventeenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions built in California between 1769 and 1823. Its purpose was to convert American Indians of the Tataviam and Tongva tribes to Catholicism.
Today it serves as a parish chapel and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
graphic artist
B. N. Company
ID Number
1986.0639.0389
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0389
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was published by the Cardinell-Vincent Company in San Francisco about 1910.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of Mission Dolores was published by the Cardinell-Vincent Company in San Francisco about 1910. The company's published views of California were printed lithographically in Germany.
The Cardinell-Vincent Company was the official postcard publisher for the Panama Pacific International Exposition in 1915.
Mission Dolores, also known as Mission San Francisco de Asís, is the oldest surviving structure in San Francisco, founded in 1776. It was the sixth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was founded to convert American Indians of the Bay Miwok, Coast Miwok, and Patwin tribes to Catholicism.
Today the mission site is managed by the Sonoma State Historic Park system.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1915
ca 1910
graphic artist
Cardinell-Vincent Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0406
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.0639.0406
This postcard view of San Luís Rey Mission was printed using photomechanical processes by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif.The Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) was one of many picture postcard publishing companies featuring sites of interest in Calif
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Luís Rey Mission was printed using photomechanical processes by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) was one of many picture postcard publishing companies featuring sites of interest in California.
Mission San Luís Rey de Francia was the eighteenth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions to be founded in California between 1769 and 1823. Its dedication ceremonies took place in 1798 near the town of Oceanside. This mission was established to convert American Indians of the Kumeyaay and Luiseno tribes.
Today the mission serves as a parish church, a museum, and a retreat site.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1921
graphic artist
Van Ornum Colorprint Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0467
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0467
This postcard view of San Gabriel Mission was printed using photomechanical processes by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) in Los Angeles, Calif.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Gabriel Mission was printed using photomechanical processes by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) in Los Angeles, Calif. The company was one of many picture postcard publishing establishments working in California.
Mission San Gabriel Arcángel was founded in 1771, near the city of Montebello in Southern California. It was the fourth of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions founded in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission was established to convert American Indians of the Tongva tribe to Catholicism. It was moved in 1775 to its present location outside of downtown Los Angeles.
Today the mission continues to minister to an American Indian community with a church and a museum.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1921
graphic artist
Van Ornum Colorprint Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0473
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0473
This postcard view of San Diego Mission was printed using photomechanical processes by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif.The Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) was one of many picture postcard publishing companies producing historic landmark, and landsc
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Diego Mission was printed using photomechanical processes by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif.
The Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) was one of many picture postcard publishing companies producing historic landmark, and landscape scenes in California.
Mission San Diego de Alcalá, located in what is now called Mission Valley, was the first mission founded by Fr. Junípero Serra in 1769. It was the first of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823, and was built to convert American Indians of the Kumeyaay tribe to Catholicism.
Today the mission buildings include a parish church.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1921
graphic artist
Van Ornum Colorprint Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0476
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0476
This postcard view of San Carlos Mission (El Carmel) was printed by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif.
Description (Brief)
This postcard view of San Carlos Mission (El Carmel) was printed by the Van Ornum Colorprint Company in Los Angeles, Calif. using photomechanical processes.
The Van Ornum Colorprint Company (1908-1921) was one of many picture postcard publishing companies producing scenes in California.
Mission San Carlos Borroméo del rio Carmelo was founded in 1770 in Carmel Valley. It was the second of twenty-one Spanish Franciscan missions established in California between 1769 and 1823. The mission, built to convert American Indians of the Esselen and Ohlone, or Costanoa, tribes to Catholicism, was restored to its present condition in 1882 by the parish church of Monterey.
The mission continues to serve as a parish church today.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1908-1921
graphic artist
Van Ornum Colorprint Co.
ID Number
1986.0639.0477
accession number
1986.0639
catalog number
1986.639.0477

Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.

If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.