Why was classic Southwestern architecture created?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
March 29, 2005
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Kashmiri Floral Wool Jacket, Pearl and Garnet Earrings, Tapestry Suede Tote—>Click here.
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In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo left Navidad, New Spain (Acapulco, Mexico) to explore the Pacific coastline from Baja California to Alta California. Cabrillo noted that many of the Natives of the coastal areas wore animal skins and lived in huts built of willow frames covered with tules and mud. The tule huts were practical—water-resistant, warm, and easily constructed. Tules (Scirpus californicus (C.A. Meyer) Steudel) once grew in the vast marshes of central and coastal California. (See Plant of the Week, November 29, 2004)
Cabrillo's expedition amounted to little. New Spain and Baja California continued to attract settlers, but Alta California remained an untouched portion of the Spanish empire.
In 1768, King Carlos III of Spain noted that the English and Russian empires were expanding their exploration along the northern Pacific coast.
Lest he lose claim to 'Upper' California, he ordered General José de Gálvez to organize troops and missionaries to colonize north of the Baja.
The concept was simple: a series of twenty-one missions and four presidios (forts) along the coast. This would establish a military and church presence. Offers of livestock, land, and aid would attract settlers to the pueblos (towns) that would follow. The trilateral colonization would ensure Spain's claim to the land—troops for protection, settlers for goods and services, and missions for educational and religious support. Furthermore, the Franciscan monks would convert the natives.
Fray Junípero Serra was chosen presidente, leader of the padres on this 'sacred expedition'. By July of 1769, Serra established San Diego de Alcalá, the first mission extending El Camino Real into Alta California. The fifth mission was San Luis, Obispo de Tolosa (Saint Louis, Bishop of Toulouse, France). Serra completed nine of the missions before his death in 1784; by 1798, nineteen existed.
The first buildings were not much—simply log shelters to house monks during the construction of permanent buildings. And they took a lesson in construction from the natives. Roofs were framed with logs and thatched with insulating tules. These rushes were also spread to cover the dirt floors.
The permanent structures of the missions were built of adobe, mud blocks, each weighing about 60 pounds.
The adobe was overlaid with plaster and roofs extended into arcades to protect the adobe blocks from rain. But tules continued as the major roofing.
In 1776, natives, hostile to the colonization of California, attacked San Luis, Obispo. Flaming arrows were shot onto the tule roofs. Everything but the church and the granary were burned to the ground. The mission was attacked and burned two more times in the next ten years.
Three times was the 'charm'—the padres decided fire-proof roofing was needed. They created tejas, terra cotta tiles shaped over a log and fired in a kiln. The mission technique of plastered adobe walls and red tiled roofs became the classic architectural style of the Southwest.
Lynne Landwehr's website, History in San Luis Obispo County, has posted numerous old postcards of the mission. To view these postcards, click on the link:
Click here to view these postcards
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the images.
This is a fascinating website for history buffs. Take some time to view other offerings on this site.
(Compiled from: "The Missions of Old California", no author listed, originally published 1922, Old and Sold Antiques Digest; "Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo", Andre Engels, Discoverers' Web; "Illustrated Glossary of Term Relating to California Missions and Other Hispanic Sites", Sasha Honig, ed., California Mission Studies Association and "Chronology of California Mission History", California Missions Foundation, 2000.)
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~6~~7~~8~~9~~10~~
Suggested Reading:
What is a California sister? Renfield's Garden - February 18, 2004
What is chía? Weird Plants - January 27, 2005
What is the story of baby-blue-eyes? What's in a Name? - May 10, 2002
Viviparous Spikerush (Eleocharis vivipara Link) Plant of the Week - January 17, 2005
Killer Savings Links: Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
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Kashmiri Floral Wool Jacket
National Geographic®
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Centuries ago, Hindu, Buddhist, and Islamic cultures met and mingled in Kashmir as artisans from Central Asia and Iran settled in the area. One of the many exquisite arts for which this area is known is the intricate chain stitch called ari, which served as the inspiration for our timeless 100% merino wool jacket.
Rich red and spice-hued flowers on a canvas of black wool are typical of the elegant coverlets and scarves that have been embroidered in Kashmir for centuries.
The flattering fit includes a mandarin collar, embroidered buttons, side pockets, and side slits. Lined. Dry clean. Made in India.
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Woman's sizes S (4-6), M (8-10), L (12-14), XL (16-18).
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Indian Pearl and Garnet Earrings
National Geographic®
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Often featured in traditional Mughal-era miniature paintings, circular silver earrings have been popular throughout northern India for centuries. Designs featuring forward-facing hoops were especially favored by Rajasthani aristocracy from the 17th through the 19th century.
Reminiscent of the tail of the Indian national bird, the peacock, these traditional sterling silver earrings feature gleaming faceted garnets and cultured freshwater pearls that dangle lightly below the hoop.
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Handmade by artisans in India. Approximately 2 1/2''L.
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Bolivian Tapestry Suede Tote
National Geographic®
Using a centuries-old technique, Bolivian families weave mantas—beautiful woolen textiles in geometric patterns—for use as bedding and apparel.
Today, artisans take pieces of vintage mantas and frame them in soft suede and durable leather to create these beautiful totes. Features zip closure and roomy interior compartment with cell phone and sunglasses pockets.
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As each manta is unique, please expect some variation in color and pattern. Available in Red, Brown and Goldenrod. Handmade in Bolivia.
Handles are 15 1/2'' long. 14''W x 11 3/4''L x 3 1/2''D.
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Bolivian Alpaca Sweater
National Geographic®
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In the Bolivian Andes, talented artisans spin alpaca fiber into a soft and durable yarn, and through their weaving, translate their traditional ancient patterns into contemporary style.
The bright earth tones and patterns of this particularly soft and breathable three-season sweater are adapted from a 3,000-year-old fabric.
Hand wash or dry clean only. Entirely handmade in Bolivia of pure alpaca wool.
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Men's sizes M (38-40), L (42-44), XL (46-48).
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National Geographic Bolivian Leather Travel Briefcase
National Geographic®
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An essential piece of travel luggage, this beautiful artisan-crafted briefcase is made in Bolivia from the finest leather, which is known for its softness and durability.
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Features brass hardware, double-reinforced closures, multiple organizer pockets, a secure file pouch, and a detachable carrying strap.
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15''W x 11''H x 5''D
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Wollemi Pine
National Geographic®
Exclusively from National Geographic, this survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.
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Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area.
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You can assist in the conservation effort and enjoy the unique opportunity to ensure the continued survival of this rare species by giving the tree as a gift or growing your own. Suitable for indoor container gardening or as a landscape tree in certain areas of the U.S.
Comes with a care manual with the full story about the discovery and fascinating history of the Wollemi pine. Comes in a copper-colored container and will be approximately 10''H when shipped. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of these plants will fund ongoing conservation research.
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National Geographic®
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You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
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