La Purísima Mission
by William Etling

Today we are on a mission. A photo mission, at the most fully reconstructed of the magnificent mudpiles, Misión La Purísima Concepción De María Santísima (Mission of the Immaculate Conception of Most Holy Mary), founded by Father Presidente Fermin de Lasuén on December 8, 1787, the 11th of 21 Franciscan Missions in California.

What we find at La Purisima Mission today is a reconstruction of just a few of the 100 structures put up after an earthquake in 1812 flattened the vintage 1787 original four miles west. A Civilian Conservation Corps project circa 1934, it is nevertheless a remarkable complex, astonishing in size, and evocative of its 222-year history in countless ways.

In addition to the structures, there's a little farm going on, with poultry and livestock. At one time over 20,000 cattle and sheep roamed the hills, plus hundreds of horses, mules, and burros. Budding botanists will enjoy the herb garden and the nature walk with labeled plants and trees.

Day use fee is $4 per vehicle.

Photo gallery: CLICK HERE

William Etling is a 42 year resident of Santa Ynez, and the author of Sideways in Neverland: Life in the Santa Ynez Valley.