California Travel Tips
Survivor Mission San Miguel
Published on: July 13, 2013
SAN MIGUEL, CALIF. — Mission San Miguel on the Central California coast just a few miles north of Paso Robles could have become just one more footnote in American history if it had taken a different course. Some invisible force has fought back against each attempt to decimate its existence and legacy dating back to 1797. Today the will of its supporters and their commitment to keeping Mission San Miguel alive has glorified its position as California’s 17th mission and only one of seven on the National Historic Register list.
Highlights in the history of Mission San Miguel Arcangel
- Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen founded Mission San Miguel in 1797.
- It bridged the gap of distance between two other missions in the area– Mission San Antonio and Mission San Luis Obispo.
- Mexico broke the yoke of Spanish authority and secularized Mission San Miguel in 1834.
- Converted mission into hotel, saloon, shops.
- President Buchanan returned the mission buildings and surrounding property to the Catholic Church in 1859.
- In 1928 the mission was returned to the Franciscans.
- San Simeon Earthquake on December 22, 2003 damaged Mission San Miguel.
- After renovation to meet earthquake standards, the mission was reopened along with the cemetery on the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, September 29, 2009 .
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