San Juan Capistrano
Founded by Father Junipero Serra on Nov. 1, 1776,
the settlement was the first in what is now Orange
County. In those days, the Mission was a community unto
itself. Several villages of Juaneno Indians were near the
mission, and by 1794, 40 adobe houses had been built
outside the mission walls. 34 more adobes were built in
1807. An earthquake destroyed the Great Stone Church in
1812 and a pirate raid in 1818 further damaged the
community.
The old Mission buildings languished for
many years: first it became the private home of John
Forster who bought it from the Mexican government for
$710. The U.S. government bought it back in 1865 and
turned it back to the church, which did little with it
until 1895, when the Landmarks Club and Father St. John
O'Sullivan worked to begin its restoration.
The town celebrates its heritage each
March, as the city's resident swallows return from their
winter sojourn in Argentina. They not only build their
nests under the eves of the old mission but have taken
roost on some of the newer office buildings in town. The
Mission is open every day from 8:30 am, with a modest
admission fee.
Things to See & Do
San Juan's Mexican heritage can be seen
across the town. Among the architectural treasures is a
newer building which reflects the Mexican adobe period.
The San Juan Capistrano Library is highlighted by
adobe colors and stenciled interior design, which
complement the mission and the original adobe houses
still standing in this section of town. This is one of
the few libraries in America that includes a bookstore.
Another building worth a visit is the old
Pryor House, now the O'Neill Museum, operated by
the local Historical Society. Located at 31831 Los Rios
St., this Victorian-era home was transported here from
its original site and is open Tuesday through Friday and
on Sunday afternoons.
A guided walking tour of historical sites
in the Los Rios district is given every Sunday at 1 pm by
historical society members. The fee is only $1 and tours
start at El Peon, across from the Mission. The tour
includes visits to many of the original adobe homes.
