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

Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés

Born April 12, 1738, Died July 19, 1781

September 2, 2011

1. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker

Inscription. Daring explorer, zealous missionary and unfailing friend of the Yuma Indians. Padre Garcés founded the Yuma Indian Mission and nearby gave his life for their souls.

His faith was unshakeable; his hope tranquil; his charity joyous; his zeal triumphant.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Religion & Religious Structures.

Location. 32° 43.831′ N, 114° 36.933′ W. Marker is in Winterhaven, California, in Imperial County. It is on Quechan Drive 0.1 miles north of Quechan Road, on the left when traveling north. The Mission is on top of a bluff bypassed by Quechan Drive. It can be walked to, and there is sidewalk and trail from the Yuma Crossing Park, or one can park in the Quechan Tribal Museum area left turn on Picacho Road from Quechan Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 350 Picacho Road, Winterhaven CA 92283, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Imperial Valley.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it

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is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of Mission la Purisima Concepcion (here, next to this marker); Site of Old Ferry Landing (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arizona); The All-important Colorado River Crossing (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arizona); "Indian Hill" (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arizona); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arizona); "Ocean to Ocean" Highway Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arizona); Fort Yuma (approx. 0.2 miles away); View of the Prison from Across the River (approx. 0.2 miles away in Arizona). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winterhaven.

September 2, 2011

2. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker

Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Monument and Marker image. Click for full size.

September 2, 2011

3. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Monument and Marker

The St. Thomas Indian Mission Chapel is seen in the background.

Statue Detail Looking Northeast image. Click for full size.

September 2, 2011

4. Statue Detail Looking Northeast

Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker - Looking East. image. Click for full size.

September 2, 2011

5. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker - Looking East.

Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker - View South image. Click for full size.

September 2, 2011

6. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker - View South

Saint Thomas Indian Mission Chapel image. Click for full size.

September 2, 2011

7. Saint Thomas Indian Mission Chapel

Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Alice Mansell, April 26, 2026

8. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés statue

Photographed by Alice Mansell, April 26, 2026

9. Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcés Marker

This statue’s plinth rear side has the marker [not “next to”] for the “Site of Mission la Purisima Concepcion.”

Credits. This page was last revised on May 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 3, 2011. This page has been viewed 1,691 times since then and 62 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 3, 2011. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 6, 2011. 8, 9. submitted on May 19, 2026, by Alice Mansell of Los Altos, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.