Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, south facade

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View of the south facade of Mission San Gabriel Arcangel in San Gabriel, showing the campanario. This large six-bell campanario was built after the original three-bell structure toppled during the 1812 Wrightwood Earthquake. In olden times, bells were vitally important to daily life at any mission. The bells were rung at mealtimes, to call the Mission residents to work and to religious services, during births and funerals, as well as to signal the approach of a ship or returning missionary, etc. The street seen in the foreground was part of "El Camino Real" - the 600-mile California Mission Trail connecting the former Alta California's 21 missions.