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This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.
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Select photographs of my many visits to The Missions of the United States South and Southwest built by Spain and Mexico between 1565 and 1823. All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2008 - 2013. |
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By Founding Date
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South to North
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Asistencia/Estancia
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 Earthquake 2003
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On the morning of December 22, 2003, about 10:00 am, an earthquake originating about 30 miles west of Mission San Miguel Arcángel struck the area and damaged the mission. Within a few weeks, most of the museum complex reopened to the public. The church will remain closed until a seismic retrofit can be performed. We had the bad luck to have planned a visit only three days after the quake and again two days later on our return trip, while the entire site was still closed. We visited the open portion of the mission a few months later and returned again several times and hope to return when the church is repaired and reopens. Earthquakes are a part of the mission story. Few missions do not have a story to tell of damage from earthquakes. The stone church at Mission San Juan Capistrano was never rebuilt. I personally have lived through two earthquakes that damaged Mission San Fernando. With your contributions, Mission San Miguel Arcángel will rebuild and the church, described as the best preserved of the missions, will reopen. It has been several years since the earthquake but finally restoration has begun. The Missions is hoping to celebrate Christmas Mass in the Mission this year (2009). Although restoration has begun, the Missions still needs contributions to complete the process and pay the bills. Contributions to the rebuilding can be made to: Old Mission San Miguel Parish 775 Mission Street P.O. Box 69 San Miguel, CA 93451-0069 |
 Donation Meter on September 1, 2007. |
 Donation Meter on July 26, 2009. |
| This section shot Christmas Day in 2003, just three days after the earthquake. |
 Gate to forecourt. Photo date: 12-25-03. |
 Front of church. Photo date: 12-25-03. |
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| Front of church. Photo date: 12-25-03. | |
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| Closeup of cracks on front of church. Photo date: 12-27-03. | |
 Gate to cemetery, closed as unsafe. Photo date: 12-25-03. |
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| South end of west wing of quadrangle. Photo date: 12-25-03. | |
| This section was shot on December 3, 2005. This was almost two years after the earthquake and the area around the church was closed and considered unsafe to maintain the cemetery. |
 Church. |
 Church. |
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| North side of church. Note the cemetery is not maintained because of the adjacent earthquake damaged church. | |
 Cemetery. |
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| Bell tower on north side of church. | |
 South end of west wing of quadrangle with broken plaster. |
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| Front of damaged church, fenced off and awaiting restoration. | |
 Gateway, closed. |
 For several years, the forcourt was closed. |
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| Front of damaged church. | |
 Close-up of the window over the door. |
| This section was shot on September 1, 2007, still waiting for funding. |
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| The church closed and fenced off. The damaged church as it was September 1, 2007. | |
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| The church closed and fenced off. The damaged church as it was September 1, 2007. | |
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The Church is currently under restoration with hope to reopen by Christmas 2009. This section was shot 7-26-09 |
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| The church surrounded by scaffold. | |
 The church surrounded by scaffold. |
 Forecourt and Church. |
 Front of church surrounded by scaffold. |
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| Front of church surrounded by scaffold. | |
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| North side of church with scaffold, cemetery in foreground. . | |
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| North side of church with scaffold, cemetery in foreground. . | |
 Front of church with scaffold. |
 Side of church with scaffold. |
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| The front courtyard with the scaffold surrounded church beyond. | |
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Earthquake 2003
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By Founding Date
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South to North
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Asistencia/Estancia
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| Note:This is not the official site for any of the places shown in US Mission Trail. US Mission Trail is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, and exhibits are subject to change without notice. |
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Support this Web Site I hope that you find this web site helpful. It started because of my love for the California Missions and interest in History and a desire to share my photographs and tales of my adventures. I don't allow paid advertising. This web site is for your benefit and enjoyment and I make no profit on it. For twenty years it has been supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer. A non-tax deductable donation helps cover the cost of operating this web site and may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal. | ||
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If you are in the need of a designer, please see my Set Designer portfolio site Set Design Portfolio. |
 | Or donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page. |
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This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson. Copyright © 2004 - 2023, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website. |
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