Curated OER
Along the El Camino Real
While studying each of the 21 missions in California, your class will learn about the founders and founding dates of each mission. Note: Some resource links may not be working, but can be supplemented with additional activities found on...
PBS
Pbs: New Perspectives on the West
This in-depth resource presents a history of the American West from pre-Columbian times until World War I with profiles, documents, and images. It encourages visitors to link these into patterns of historical meaning for themselves....
Other
American Journeys: Background on Francisco Palou and Father Junipero Serra
Find background information about the life of Father Junipero Serra and his biographer, Father Francisco Palou. Read about the missions they established in California and their work in converting Native Americans to Christianity. Click...
Other
American Journeys: Life of Father Junipero Serro, Founder of Franciscan Missions
This study of Junipero Serra's (1723-1789) life was first published in 1913. It's made available here with some great features. You can search the book for key terms, read background information on the author and the subject, print or...
Kidport
Missions of California (1769 1834)
Use this site to learn how the natives lived in missions and were educated and converted to Christianity. Also learn who established the missions and why they were created.
PBS
Pbs the West: Junipero Serra (1713 1784)
This is a short biography of Father Junipero Serra, a Franciscan priest who founded many of the Catholic missions in California.
Other
San Diego History Center: Gaspar De Portola
The San Diego History Center provides the interesting story of Portola, an early governor of California. Provides a great story about Monterey.
Other
California Missions Virtual Tour
Be sure to play the beautiful Mission Music as you explore this colorful journey into the history of the California missions.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: Ranch/mission Days Alta California
An 1890 article in "Century Magazine" by Guadalupe Vallejo relates his understanding of Hispanic influences on ranches and missions that existed in California before it became a state.