In a few years, La Purisima once again became a thriving THE MISSION STORY community with approximately 800 Chumash Indian EXPLORE THE MOST Misión la Purisima Concepción de Maria Santísima Neophytes (converts) living on Mission lands. At times over FULLY RESTORED LA PURISIMA (Mission of the of Most Holy 20,000 cattle and sheep roamed the hills along with hundreds Mary) was founded by Father Presidente Fermín de Lasuén of horses, mules, burros and other livestock. The padres MISSION IN ! on December 8, 1787. It was the 11th of 21 Franciscan developed shops for weaving, pottery, leatherwork and other Missions established in California. crafts in addition to organizing the religious activities of the Open Year Round MISSION Mission settlement. During the Mission’s early years, over 1,500 Chumash La Purisima Mission State Historic Park is open daily from 9 STATE HISTORIC PARK Indians were baptized into the at La 1834 marked the end of the California mission era when AM to 5 PM. Day Use fee is per vehicle $6 general public, $5 Purisima making them new citizens of Spain. Large and small the Mexican government took away control of the missions Senior (62+ years) Park closed: New Years Day, Thanksgiving adobe buildings were built, a water system developed, crops from the Catholic Church and gave it to civil authorities. It Day, & Christmas Day. subsequently changed hands and uses a number of times prior and livestock raised, and La Purisima grew and prospered. Visitor Center open daily July 1st - August 31st. Open to the close of the 19th century. On December 21, 1812, a major earthquake destroyed Tuesday thru Sunday and Holiday Mondays September 1st - many of the Mission buildings. Aftershocks and drenching When the property was given to public ownership by Union Oil June 30th (Martin Luther King Day, Presidents Day, Memorial rains damaged La Purisima beyond repair. In 1813, the Company in 1933, the Mission was in ruins. Preservation and Day & Labor Day). reconstruction of the complex began in 1934, and lasted seven Mission community was relocated four miles to the a site Guided Tours that had a better water supply and climate, and safer access years. Buildings and grounds were painstakingly restored and to El Camino Real, California’s main travel route. furnished to appear as they had in 1820. Guided tours of the buildings and grounds are offered September 1st - June 30th Wednesday - Sunday & holiday Today, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park stands as the Mondays. Tours are available daily July 1st - August 31st. most extensively restored mission in all of California with ten Meet at 1 PM at the Visitor Center for the 1.5 hour, 1 mile of the original buildings, furnished rooms, mission gardens and walking tour. Groups of 10 or more are asked to book two livestock to represent life at the mission during the 1820’s. weeks in advance by calling (805) 733-3713. In addition, the nearly 2,000 acre park is home to 25 miles of hiking trails, a modern Visitor Center and Exhibit Hall. Hiking Trails La Purisima Mission hosts over 200,000 visitors annually for La Purisima is the only recreation and a chance to explore California’s heritage. California mission with hiking trails, featuring more than 25 miles of trails to explore. Trail

Photos by: J. Aguilar Perez maps are available at LA PURISIMA the Entrance Station, MISSION Visitor Center and LOMPOC Gift Shop. LA PURISIMA MISSION STATE HISTORIC PARK 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc, CA 93436 (805) 733-3713 – Office (805) 736-3605 – Gift Shop lapurisimamission.org

LET HISTORY

For places to stay and other Lompoc attractions: SURROUND YOU Lompoc, California 2020 COME VISIT… AND STEP BACK IN TIME! ExploreLompoc.com 2020 CALENDAR AT A GLANCE

Village Days March Traditional Mission Life Day LIVING HISTORY EVENTS August 22 ▪ November 7 SPECIAL EVENTS 14th 11 AM to 2 PM Mission Life Day Events The Tule Village comes to life as visitors Candlelight Tours experience the blending of traditional September 19 During the Mission Life Day event series (below), March Mountain Men Encampment costumed docents and staff offer an exciting Chumash Indian and Colonial Spanish culture. Escorted by candlelight, guests travel back in time to the 28th 10 AM to 4 PM opportunity to experience early mission life back in the Visitors engage in crafts and activities such 1820s on a walking tour, moving from scene to scene 1820s with special demonstrations and activities. as acorn grinding, basket weaving, making enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of the evening soapstone beads and tule dolls, and at La Purisima Mission. Tickets may be purchased at April Natural History Day Traditional Mission Life Day playing Chumash games. www.lapurisimamission.org 4th 10 AM to 2 PM March 14 ▪ November 21 Founding Day Tour the grounds, and see demonstrations on tortilla Harvest Mission Life Day May Sheep Shear Mission Life Day December 8 September 12 2nd 11 AM to 2 PM making, candle making, spinning and weaving, carpentry, Founding Day recognizes the day La Purisima Mission was pottery, and blacksmithing. Come stomp grapes at the end-of-the-season grape founded on December 8, 1787 which is the Feast Day of harvest and enjoy other traditional Mission activities. the Immaculate Conception of Mary. July Children’s Mission Life Day 18th 11 AM to 2 PM Mountain Men Encampment Las Posadas • Founding Day Mass March 28 ▪ August 21 & 22 12 PM December 13 August Mountain Men Encampment Buckskin clad members of the American Mountain In the historic main church of La Purisima Mission. Based on a tradition that goes back over 400 years in 21st/22nd 10 AM to 4 PM Men share mountain men history and skills , Las Posadas reenacts the journey of Mary and • Founding Day Concert such as cooking, hide preparation and tanning, 7 PM Joseph as they travel from inn to inn on their way to August Village Days leather working, rope making, and blacksmithing. Bethlehem. This long time tradition will take place at La Details of the event and advance ticketing are available on the website. 22nd 11 AM to 2 PM Equipment will be on display and tall tales will Purisima Mission State Historic Park where costumed surround the campfire. docents will lead the procession through the mission. September Harvest Mission Life Day

SCHOOL PROGRAMS 12th 11 AM to 2 PM Sheep Shear Mission Life Day May 2 La Purisima offers a variety of programs and learning SCIENCE DAYS experiences for students and educators. Please visit the September Candlelight Tours Watch the Mission sheep get their annual “hair cut” website for details. 19th 6 PM - 9 PM and learn about mission wool production with fleece Natural History Day washing, spinning and weaving. April 4 Explore the colors and critters of spring with our Park October Archaeology Day Children’s Mission Life Day Rangers at La Purisima. Learn about the park’s wild 17th 11 AM to 2 PM July 18 inhabitants at the Mammal and Bird station; check out Turn off your gadgets, and bring your kids to experience our Scales and Tales Reptile Encounter, and more! Be sure November Village Days Mission Life the old-fashioned way with special hands- to hit the trail for a wildflower/wildlife hike. For all ages! 7th 11 AM to 2 PM on activities for kids. Archaeology Day November Traditional Mission Life Day October 17 21st 11 AM to 2 PM Get your hands dirty sifting sand to find hidden clues to the past at our kid friendly “Dig” station, carve your own soapstone bead, and see flint knapping demonstrations. December Founding Day Remembrance 8th Mass - 12 PM, Concert - 7 PM

December Las Posadas 13th 2 PM to 3 PM

For more information on all these special events: www.lapurisimamission.org