Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: Spanish Missions in California
This primary source set uses documents, photographs, and artwork to tell the story of the development and impact of Spanish missions in California during the Mission period.
Huntington Library
Huntington Library: Coming to California [Pdf]
Detailed lesson plan that uses primary sources to help students learn about the people of California from pre-Columbian times to the Mexican rancho periods.
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...
Mission Tour
Mission Tour: Virtual Tour of California Missions: Secularization
This website tells about the emergence of secularization of Spanish California, which resulted in the decline of the missions.
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 Learning Media: Primary Source Set: Spanish Missions in California
A collection that uses primary sources to explore the history of Spanish missions in California.
Library of Congress
Loc: California as I Saw It: First Person Narratives, 1849 1900
The Library of Congress makes available these eyewitness accounts of California's history from 1849 to 1900.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of the City of San Francisco: California Before Gold Discovery
From the "Century" magazine, an article from 1890 by James Bidwell who came to California in 1841.
Lone Star Junction
Lone Star Junction: The Five Spanish Missions of Old San Antonio
A brief look at each of five Spanish missions established in the 1700s along the San Antonio River in California.
Library of Congress
Loc: Early California History: An Overview
Table of Contents of an easy-to-understand history of California ranging from the first peoples to the turn of the century and covers the topics of the Missions, the discovery of gold, the towns and the cities.
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
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.
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.
Museum of the City of San Francisco
Virtual Museum of San Francisco: Junipero Serra: Founder of California
A biography of Father Junipero Serra, including excerpts from a biography written by Serra's good friend, Palou.
Mission Tour
Mission Tour: A Virtual Tour of the California Missions: Chumash
A brief description of the culture of the Chumash. Read about their canoes, houses, and understanding of astronomy.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in California: Mission Inn
This hotel has become the largest Mission Revival style through progressive additions and embellishments since its first predecessor cottage was built in 1876. In addition to lodgings, it features shops, a chapel, furniture from around...
Scholastic
Scholastic: Junipero Serra
Junipero Serra (1713-1789) was a missionary who worked in Mexico and later California, mainly among the native people. He was beatified by the Catholic Church in 1988. This is a short profile of his life.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in California: Carmel Mission
The second Roman Catholic California Mission Church, this was the headquarters of the padre presidente, Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen . It was destroyed in the mid-19th century and restored in 1884 and 1920. It remains a parish...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Ca: Mission San Miguel Arcangel
The 16th California Mission church remains well preserved and still in use today though under earthquake remediation construction. Inside are murals by Esteban Munras.
Other
Cal Earth the California Institute of Earth Art and Architecture
Founded and directed by the internationally renowned architect and author Nader Khalili, this institute works to create homes from the earth using such materials as sand, clay, and dirt. Its mission is to create tree-less places for...
Curated OER
Wikipedia: Natl Historic Landmarks in California: Mission Beach Roller Coaster
one of only 2 remaining wooden coasters on the West coast, it was built in 1925 by noted coaster builders Prior and Church. It was saved from destruction in 1987, restored, and is still operating today.
Curated OER
Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in California: San Diego Mission Church
This was the first Spanish Mission in Alta California and the start of El Camino Real. Originally located in the Presidio of San Diego, it later moved a few miles away. The nearby Old Mission Dam, also a NHL, provided water for milling...