When crops wouldn't grow at Calamajue, the Indians showed
the Jesuits their oasis of Cabujakaamung
20 miles north, with its sweet water.
The Jesuits moved their mission and
had only constructed palm log shacks when
they were removed from California, in early 1768.
The Franciscans who
replaced the Jesuits built the adobe ruins
that we see here. Santa Maria had a
very brief mission history.
In 1769, the first Franciscan mission in California
was founded by Junipero Serra some 35 miles away.
Named San Fernando by Father
Serra on his long walk from Loreto to Alta California.
San Fernando was a
superior mission site and soon
Santa Maria was reduced in status to a visita.
Photos taken in 2007 by David Kier.
More photos at
http://vivabaja.com/msm GPS: 29°43'54.5"
114°32'50.2"