Mission San Juan Capistrano was originally founded in 1775. This site was selected to be the "logical" halfway point between Mission San Diego and Mission San Gabriel. Logical, meaning that other certain criteria were needed. The location also needed to be near a water source so that the mission could prosper in an area large enough for crops and livestock. But it also needed to be near native villages. Missions were established in order to 'civilize' and through religious teachings, convert the willing natives to the Catholic Church. Additional instruction in various trades gave the mission its necessary workforce to grow and prosper. But soon after, the native tribe near Mission San Diego attacked, burning down that Mission. Fearing an expanding revolt at Capistrano, the mission bells were buried, and the site was quickly abandoned. In 1776, Father Serra returned to the site selected for Mission San Capistrano and re-founded it, the only mission that was founded twice.
All Missions in California were built one days horse ride away from each other
It was built as a checkpoint for San Diego and San Gabriel along El Camino Real (present day 5 and Camino Capistrano) to keep with the day's walk rule of the road. The mission was built where the namesake city now stands, dead center in downtown, easily recognizable from a train or bus by the Great Stone Church replica next door
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