Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, Santa Cruz (must see)
Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park, located in Santa Cruz, offers a rich tapestry of historical and cultural significance, centered around the legacy of Mission Santa Cruz. Originally founded in 1791 by the Franciscan order, the mission was named in honor of the Feast of the Exultation of the Cross. This name was inspired by explorer Gaspar de Portola who, upon his arrival in 1769, erected a wooden cross at the San Lorenzo River. The mission played a critical role in the ecclesiastical conversion of the indigenous population, initially targeting the Ohlone and later the Yokuts people.
Today, the site features the Holy Cross Church, constructed in 1889 on the foundation of the original mission church, which continues to serve as an active parish within the Diocese of Monterey. A notable addition to the historical landscape is a half-size replica of the original mission church, built in the 1930s, which now functions as a chapel for Holy Cross Church.
One of the few remnants of the extensive original mission complex, which once included up to 32 buildings, is the Neary-Rodriguez Adobe. This structure, initially a dormitory for native acolytes, has been transformed into a museum that is part of the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the visual history of the area, boasting a collection of historical artifacts that reflect the rich history of Santa Cruz. It offers a variety of educational activities, including tours of the Evergreen Cemetery, the Octagon Building, and the Davenport Jail Museum, making it an enriching destination for visitors keen to explore the unique historical narrative of Santa Cruz.
Today, the site features the Holy Cross Church, constructed in 1889 on the foundation of the original mission church, which continues to serve as an active parish within the Diocese of Monterey. A notable addition to the historical landscape is a half-size replica of the original mission church, built in the 1930s, which now functions as a chapel for Holy Cross Church.
One of the few remnants of the extensive original mission complex, which once included up to 32 buildings, is the Neary-Rodriguez Adobe. This structure, initially a dormitory for native acolytes, has been transformed into a museum that is part of the Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park. The museum is dedicated to preserving and presenting the visual history of the area, boasting a collection of historical artifacts that reflect the rich history of Santa Cruz. It offers a variety of educational activities, including tours of the Evergreen Cemetery, the Octagon Building, and the Davenport Jail Museum, making it an enriching destination for visitors keen to explore the unique historical narrative of Santa Cruz.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Santa Cruz. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park on Map
Sight Name: Santa Cruz Mission State Historic Park
Sight Location: Santa Cruz, USA (See walking tours in Santa Cruz)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Santa Cruz, USA (See walking tours in Santa Cruz)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Santa Cruz, California
Create Your Own Walk in Santa Cruz
Creating your own self-guided walk in Santa Cruz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Santa Cruz Introduction Walking Tour
Santa Cruz dates back to the founding of Mission Santa Cruz, founded in 1791. The modern city's incorporation dates back to 1866, and some of the most popular industries were agriculture, lime mining, gunpowder manufacturing, and lumber.
In July 1885, three teenage Hawaiian princes took a break from their boarding school, St. Mathew's Hall in San Mateo, and came to cool off in Santa... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
In July 1885, three teenage Hawaiian princes took a break from their boarding school, St. Mathew's Hall in San Mateo, and came to cool off in Santa... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Historical Buildings Walk
Apart from surfboard-filled shores, Santa Cruz is also rich in history reflected in the old buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While none of Santa Cruz's historic architecture sprang up overnight, a great deal of it was lost, or severely damaged, in a single go on October 17, 1989 as a result of the Loma Prieta earthquake. Still, some of the historic buildings have... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.8 Km or 1.7 Miles