Sonoma in Sonoma County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mission San Francisco Solano

Photographed By Joseph Alvarado, June 17, 2023

1. Mission San Francisco Solano Marker

Inscription.
On July 4, 1823, Padre Jose Altimira founded this northernmost of California’s Franciscan Missions. The only one established under independent Mexico. In 1834 secularization orders were carried out by military Commandant Mariano G. Vallejo. San Francisco Solano became a parish church serving the Pueblo and Sonoma Valley until sold in 1881.

This plaque replaces one originally dedicated by the Historical Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West, 1926.

Erected 1963 by California State Parks Commission, and Sonoma Parlor No.111 Native Sons of the Golden West. (Marker Number 3.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1810.

Location. 38° 17.62′ N, 122° 27.355′ W. Marker is in Sonoma, California, in Sonoma County. Marker is mounted on the wall of the Mission Building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 114 E Spain St, Sonoma CA 95476, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The End of the Mission Trail (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Mission San Francisco Solano Sacred Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Blue Wing Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); Vasquez House (within shouting distance of this marker); Sonoma Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); Toscano Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Raising of the Bear Flag (about 300 feet away); a different marker also named Toscano Hotel (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sonoma.

Regarding Mission San Francisco Solano. This site is California Historical Landmark No. 3.

Also see . . . San Francisco Solano. California Missions Foundation website entry (Submitted on February 18, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

Additional commentary.
1. Mission San Francisco Solano
The northernmost and the last of 21 California missions, the site was selected by Fr. Jose Altimira in 1823. The mission was named for a Peruvian saint. The building

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

2. Mission San Francisco Solano Marker

is not the original mission, which was a wooden structure dating back to 1824. A more permanent church structure was begun in 1827 by Fr. Buenaventura Fortuny. Around 1830, nearly 7,000 Indians were in residence. The present church was built in 1840 and rebuilt in 1858. All that survives from the mission days is a portion of the Padres house.
In 1881, in a ruined condition, the building was sold to Soloman Schocken who used it variously as a hay barn, winery and blacksmith shop. The building was substantially weakened by the 1906 earthquake.
The restored adobe has been stuccoed and features wood lintels, hand-hewn timbers tied together with leather thongs and a tile roof supported on boughs. The earthen floor is bricked and tiled. The original Mission bell hangs under a heavy beam. A large clump of ancient cactus fills most of the north side. The cupola was added to the peak of the front gable roof about 1850. Although extensively altered through restoration, the Mission represents the establishment of contemporary history in Sonoma.
Source: Sonoma Walking Tour Brochure

— Submitted January 13, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.

Additional keywords. California Missions

Mission San Francisco Solano image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

3. Mission San Francisco Solano

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

4. Mission San Francisco Solano

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

5. Mission San Francisco Solano

San Francisco Solano Mission Bell image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

6. San Francisco Solano Mission Bell

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

7. San Francisco Solano Mission Bell

Mission Courtyard image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

8. Mission Courtyard

Mission San Francisco Solano Chapel image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

9. Mission San Francisco Solano Chapel

Tomb of Maria Ygnacia Lopez Carrillo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

10. Tomb of Maria Ygnacia Lopez Carrillo

Located within the Chapel

Marker at Tomb of Maria Ygnacia Lopez Carrilo image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2008

11. Marker at Tomb of Maria Ygnacia Lopez Carrilo

In Memory of MARIA YGNACIA LOPEZ CARRILO Buried Here Feb. 1849, Mother of Francisca Benicia Carrillo Who Was the Wife of General M.G. Vallejo

Mission San Francisco Solano postcard image. Click for full size.

courtesy Auburn Postcard Mfg.Co., circa 1925

12. Mission San Francisco Solano postcard

Photographed By Unknown

13. Mission San Francisco Solano

Description on postcard:
Sonoma Mission founded in 1823 at Sonoma, Calif.

Note that the Mission Bell seen in the 1925 photo (see photo #11) is not present in this photo.

Photographed By Edw H. Mitchell at San Francisco

14. Mission San Francisco Solano

Description on postcard:
Mission San Francisco Solano de Sonoma, California - 1823
Was founded 1823 and is the last of the 21 Franciscan Missions.

Note the changes in the bell tower, entrance door and side doors in this earlier postcard image.

Mission San Francisco Solano image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Photocopy of photograph (from 'The California Advertiser'), circa 1880

15. Mission San Francisco Solano

Historic American Buildings Survey (Library of Congress)
HABS CAL, 49-SONO, 2-
Click for more information.

State Historical Landmark Directional Sign at Entrance to Sonoma Plaza Area image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, January 10, 2009

16. State Historical Landmark Directional Sign at Entrance to Sonoma Plaza Area

Before Restoration With Saloon Building in Front of Chapel image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Native Sons of the Golden West, circa 1903

17. Before Restoration With Saloon Building in Front of Chapel

Prior to acquisition by the State Park Commission in 1927 the old mission had been used for hay storage, while directly in front of the chapel there stood a saloon with the vestibule being used as a storage area for used liquor bottles.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 13, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 31,785 times since then and 172 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week April 17, 2011. Photos: 1. submitted on August 17, 2023, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 12, 13. submitted on January 17, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 14. submitted on January 18, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 15. submitted on April 14, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 16. submitted on January 13, 2009, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 17. submitted on February 16, 2011.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo or postcard image of the original plaque mentioned in marker text. • Can you help?