California Missions Timeline

  • All
  • 1768-1770 Founding Period
  • 1771-1775 Early Years of Struggle
  • 1776-1784 Significant Expansion
  • 1785-1799 Mission System Firmly Established
  • 1800-1820 Prosperity and Portents of Change
  • 1821-1832 Independent Mexican Territory
  • 1833-1838 Secularization of Missions
  • 1839-1845 Land of the Californios
  • 1846-1853 Complex Struggle for Control
1768
  • 1768
       
    Ships Departing on Expedition

    1768 - 

    To prevent possible occupation by the English or Russians, Alta California is finally settled in a five-part expedition that nearly fails...

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  • 1769
       
    San Carlos Enter San Francisco Bay

    1769 - 

    The San Carlos, a sixty-four-foot packet boat with 62 persons aboard, sets sail from San Blas bound for San Diego on January 9, 1769...

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  • 1770
       
    Monterey Presidio

    1770 - 

    Portolá returns to San Diego in November of 1770...

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  • 1771
       
    San Carlos Borromeo Fr. Serra

    1771 - 

    Three more missions are founded but the new colony is heavily dependent on supplies from New Spain. Conversion of the Indians proceeds slowly...

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  • 1772
       
    San Luis Obispo Chumash Indian Village

    1772 - 

    The first mission in the land of the Chumash people, San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, is founded...

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1853