Near Winterhaven in Imperial County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
1. Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner Marker
To protect the Anza Trail where it forded the Colorado River, the Spanish founded a pueblo and mission nearby on January 7, 1781. Threatened with the loss of their land, the Quechans (Yumas) attacked this strategic settlement on July 17, 1781. The Quechan victory closed this crossing and seriously crippled future communications between Upper California and Mexico. California Register Historical Landmark No. 921
Erected 1980 by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with E Clampus Vitus, Imperial Valley Pioneers, Phil Porretta & Family, Bureau of Land Management, Yuma County Historical Society and Quechan Tribal Council. (Marker Number 921.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the E Clampus Vitus series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1836.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 32° 48.982′ N, 114° 30.907′ W. Marker was near Winterhaven, California, in Imperial County. It was on West Mehring Road 0.1 miles west of Imperial Road, on the right when traveling
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in California’s Imperial Valley. It was also in the American Southwest. Globally, it was 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 found itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Italians at the Yuma Test Branch (approx. 5.1 miles away in Arizona); World War II Bridge Test Site (approx. 5.1 miles away in Arizona); Camp Laguna (approx. 7.3 miles away in Arizona); Fort Yuma (approx. 8.3 miles away); Fray Francisco Hermenegildo Garcιs (approx. 8.3 miles away); Site of Mission la Purisima Concepcion (approx. 8.3 miles away); Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail (approx. 8.4 miles away in Arizona); The All-important Colorado River Crossing (approx. 8.4 miles away in Arizona). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Winterhaven.
More about this marker. This site was designated as California Registered Historical Landmark No.921 on June 30, 1978.
Also see . . . The Mission and gold!. At first, Bicuner Mission was used to warehouse gold brought in from the Potholes and the nearby Laguna Placers, which are located directly across the river from the Potholes. Before long, however, pack trains laden with gold wound their way down from Picacho Peak along No-Name Wash to arrive at Bicuner Mission. Furthermore, weekly shipments
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
2. Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, March 14, 2010
3. Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner Marker
Photographed by Roger Scot Johns, January 13, 2025
4. Site of Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuner Marker Missing
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 2,092 times since then and 31 times this year. Last updated on January 14, 2025, by Roger Scot Johns of Eagle, Idaho. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 24, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on January 14, 2025, by Roger Scot Johns of Eagle, Idaho. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
