Mission San Gabriel Arcangel

 United States > California > Los Angeles County > San Gabriel

---

Early view of the western end and south facade of Mission San Gabriel Arcangel. When this photograph was taken, the road was still unpaved, trees had just been planted along the south side (these were later replaced with palms), this side of the church was fenced in, and it had not yet placed its large cross that would rest atop this entrance for many years to come. Verso reads: "Many tourists over the years have asked Fathers stationed at the mission, "Why did they build the mission so near the railroad?" Question has received all kinds of unusual answers. This early view, made in the early 80's, shows the railroad that many early tourists saw".Mission San Gabriel Arcangel, also known as the San Gabriel Mission, is a former Roman Catholic mission and current historic landmark it was the fourth of 21 California missions to be founded. The founding date was September 8, 1771, and Padres Pedro Benito Cambon and Angel Fernandes de la Somera were the founding priests.