Kenneth A. Larson - General Site
Photography Gallery - Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad

This general site is just for fun.
Kenneth A. Larson has a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Also experience in other areas of Design.

Current/Recent project

Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad - Photography Gallery

Select photographs of my many visits to the California Missions build by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.

#13, Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad. Founded October 9, 1791 by Father Fermin Lasuen. Soledad.

This web page has been moved. You will be redirected to the new location in 5 seconds. Please reset your favorites and links. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Personal Observations

Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad was the thirteenth mission founded in Alta California, and possibly the unluckiest, at least is was the least successful. Mission Soledad has been one of the more neglected missions by the restorers. The only missions less restored are those that have been swallowed by urban growth. Soledad is in the middle of open farm land. What was once a quadrangle, only one side of the quadrangle and the church exist as buildings. Three sides are now low melting piles of adobe.

The first time I visited Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad was Christmas day in 2003. The mission was closed and my wife sat in the car as I photographed the mission in the rain. It was the most peaceful mission experience I have had, just me and the rain. We returned two days later when the mission was open and I again photographed the mission, this time in sunshine.

Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad is about six miles off Highway 101in the middle of open farm land. Mission Soledad is not a large mission but well worth a stop. The complex consists of the church and an adjacent building which contains the mission museum and gift shop. The rest of the small site contains the ruins of other buildings.

Photo-Art
Mission Art & Photo-Art

History
Dedicated to Our Lady of Solitude, Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad was established on a sun baked, wind swept raise of land. The land was productive with irrigation water from the Salinas River, a river that three times threatened to destroy the church in 1824, 1828, and 1832. The wind is almost constant, the summers are hot and dry and the winters are cold. The rooms wer discribed at damp, cold, and gloomy. The mission was not popular among the missionaries and few stayed long.
Disease devastated the native population who lost confidence in the new introduced religion, and many fled.
Following the death of Father Vicente Francisco de Sarria, the mission declined and fell into disuse.

Address and Directions
36641 Fort Romie Road
Soledad, CA 93960
Exit US Highway 101 at Arroyo Seco Road, west. After about one mile, turn right onto Fort Romie Road, follow the zig-zag about two miles. Watch for the Mission on the left. Watch for the signs.

Photography Gallery

At first glance, this looks like something out of Monument Valley. Then a closer inspection shows that it is a four foot high adobe wall, slowly melting in the rain. How appropriate that it was raining as I photographed the wall. Photo date: 12-25-03.

This was once the Blacksmith Shop. Photo date: 12-25-03

More text and photos at Mission Trail Today.

Sources:

This page last updated 10-6-04

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2003, 2004, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

This site is a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.

Previous Mission Top Back to California Missions Web Central Next Mission

Kenneth A. Larson - General SitePhotography Gallery - Mission Nuestra Sonora de la Soledad