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

Mission Santa Clara

Photographed By Adam Margolis, June 18, 2016

1. Mission Santa Clara Marker

Inscription. Santa Clara, the first california mission to honor a woman, Clare of Assisi, as its patron saint, was founded nearby on the Guadalupe River on January 12, 1777. It once had the largest Indian population of any California mission. Floods and earthquake led to successive relocations. Its fifth church was dedicated on this site in 1825. In 1851 Santa Clara College was established in the old mission buildings.

Erected 1980 by State Department of Parks & Recreation, William L. Gates, class of '64, Mountain Charlie Chapter #1850 E. Clampus Vitus. (Marker Number 338.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. 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 1846.

Location. 37° 20.97′ N, 121° 56.406′ W. Marker is in Santa Clara, California, in Santa Clara County. Marker is on Alviso Street near Homestead Road. Plaque is located in front of Mission Church, on the grounds of the University of Santa Clara. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Santa Clara CA 95050, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Changing Church (within shouting distance of this marker); The Five Sites of Santa Clara de Asís Mission

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Original Cross (within shouting distance of this marker); Memorial Roses (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Father Magin Catala (about 400 feet away); Old Adobe Wall / Olive Trees (about 500 feet away); Professor John J. Montgomery (about 600 feet away); Santa Clara Women’s Club Adobe (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clara.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, June 18, 2016

2. Mission Santa Clara Marker

Marker can be seen on the lower right of image, with the Mission Santa Clara in the background.

Mission Santa Clara of Assisi (5th Church Building to be constructed) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Leticia A. Kohnen, October 19, 2006

3. Mission Santa Clara of Assisi (5th Church Building to be constructed)

A portion of the old Mission walls still stand today image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mathew H. Kohnen, October 19, 2006

4. A portion of the old Mission walls still stand today

Vintage Postcard - Mission Santa Clara de Asis image. Click for full size.

Color by Hubert A. Lowman. Publ. by Smith News Co., SF Calif

5. Vintage Postcard - Mission Santa Clara de Asis

Founded by the Jesuits Fathers in 1777 on the historic El Camino Real, the route of the Franciscan Fathers. On this location and adjoining the Mission was founded Santa Clara University. Even at this time, part of the original buildings and adobe walls make up the modern church and chapel used by the student body of the beautiful Campus of the University of Santa Clara.

Mission Santa Clara image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, June 18, 2016

6. Mission Santa Clara

Mission Santa Clara Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Adam Margolis, June 18, 2016

7. Mission Santa Clara Cornerstone

Credits. This page was last revised on April 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. This page has been viewed 4,517 times since then and 49 times this year. Last updated on March 24, 2015, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 3, 4. submitted on September 19, 2007, by Mathew H. Kohnen of San Jose, California. 5. submitted on September 26, 2008, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on April 12, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. 7. submitted on April 13, 2022, by Adam Margolis of Mission Viejo, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.