Mission Trail Today - The California Missions
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This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.
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Mission Trail Today
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2003 - 2013.
Select photographs of my many visits to the California Missions build by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.
#9, San Buenaventura
Founded March 31, 1782
by Father Junipero Serra
in Ventura
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Updated
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Personal Observations
Ventura is not far from my home, but the first time I ever visited the mission was in 2002, a few months after marrying my wife. It is not large, but Mission San Buenaventura is an important part of the community.
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Mission Art & Photo-Art
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History
Mission San Buenaventura was the last mission founded by Father Junipero Serra. Originally planned to be the third mission in Alta California, midway before the first mission in San Diego and the second mission in Carmel. Because of problems at other missions, military escort was not available for twelve years. Father Junipero Serra raised a cross and celebrated mass on Easter Sunday, March 31, 1782.
The first mission church was destroyed by fire about 1794 and a new large stone church was begin. The new church was completed and dedicated in 1809. This new church was severely damaged by an earthquake in 1812 and was reinforced.
Because of an excellent climate and plentiful water from the Ventura river, carried to the mission in a seven-mile-long aqueduct, Mission San Buenaventura produced a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains. Even exotic crops such as sugar cane, bananas, coconuts, and figs, were produced.
Following secularization in 1836, the mission was stripped of most of its property. The mission church continued to be used as a parish church. The church was restored to original appearance in 1957, removing improvements made in the 1890s.
Address and Directions
211 East Main Street
Ventura, CA 93001--2622
From Highway 101 north:
Exit California Street. Turn right onto California street. Turn left onto East Main Street. Proceed a few blocks and mission is on the right.
From Highway 101 south:
Exit Ventura Avenue. Proceed north to Main street. Turn right. Right turn into parkling lot before Ventura Museum. Mission is accross the street.
Photography Gallery
Church front facade. Photo date: 3-7-04.
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Church Interior. Photo date: 3-7-04.
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Church. 9-28-03
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Front door of church. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Front of Church from across the street. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Front of church. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Front of Church from across the street. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Front of Church from across the street. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Bell tower. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Church. Photo date: 5-15-04
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Photo date: 3-7-04.
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Photo date: 3-7-04.
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Church welcoming Sunday Mass visitors. 9-28-03.
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Church. 9-28-03.
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Interior of church. Altar. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Side altar. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Statue, El Camino Real bell, chruch. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Statue and bell. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Garden and bell tower. 11-2-02.
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Garden and bell tower. Photo date: 4-15-04.
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Garden. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Garden. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Fountain and bell tower. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Side door of church. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Shrine. 11-2-02.
Olive press. Photo date: 8-29-04.
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Shrine, olive press, and museum (left to right). Photo date: 5-15-04.
Grinding wheel. 11-2-02.
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Court Yard. Photot date: 5-15-04.
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Bell shaped flowers in the Mission garden. Photo date: 5-15-04.
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Settling Tank, part of the aqueduct System with church beyond. Photo date: 3-7-04.
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One of two Settling Tanks at Mission San Buenaventura. See below for the other. Photo date: 5-15-04.
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Resting place for The Reverend Fathers: Vincente de Santa Maria, Jose Senan, and Francisco Suner, died between 1806 and 1831. Sometimes you need to look carefully for items like this. Photo date: 3-7-04.
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Albinger Archaeological Museum
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Next to Mission San Buenaventura, is Albinger Archaeological Museum. While the museum covers archaeological history going back over ten thousand years to recent, the excavations surrounding the museum are of the mission. You will see the stone foundations of two buildings that once housed the Indian workers and the stone foundations of the first church. The first church, or the forgotten church, began construction in 1787, was demolished in 1790, and rediscovered in 1974. The two Indian barracks were built later. The present church, a few steps away, is still in use and was built in 1805 to 1809. Immediately to the left of Albinger Archaeological Museum, between the Museum and modern housing units, is a walkway. Follow the walk way to the steps and climb the first set of steps. From here, you can venture right to view the ruins from the other side and see the remains of two aqueducts. If you explore about two hundred feet to the left of the top of the first steps, you will find the filter for the mission aqueduct system. There was also a lavanderia behind the filter.
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Overall site with Mission San Buenaventura church tower beyond. 9-28-03.
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Overall site with Mission San Buenaventura church tower beyond. 9-28-03.
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Stone foundations for Indian barracks from 1804-1834. 9-28-03.
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Stone foundations for Indian barracks from 1804-1834. 9-28-03.
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Stone foundations for First Church. Well also shown. 9-28-03.
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Stone foundations for First Church. Well also shown. 9-28-03.
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Two aqueducts are visible in this photo (foreground). One aqueduct ran to a cistern behind the church. The second aqueduct may have run to fields south of the mission. Background is the stone foundation of one of the Indian barracks.
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Filter. 9-28-03.
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Filter. 9-28-03.
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Filter interior. 9-28-03.
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Filter interior. 9-28-03.
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Filter and Lavanderia. 9-28-03.
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Filter and Lavanderia. 9-28-03.
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Father Serra Cross
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High on the hill behind Mission San Buenaventura in Grant Park, it the Father Serra Cross. These four photos were taken 3-7-04.
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This web site was created because of my love and respect for the California Missions. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...
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This page last updated 7-30-13
This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2003 - 2013, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.
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This site is a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.
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