The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1888-08-31
r4E MISSION poLoREs.

Adobe RnIns OF what Were the Homes Of
Historic California Families.
To resident in or a visitor 10 the
metropolis of the Pacific whose taste
leads towards antiquarianism, no spot
on the peninsula offers such attractions
as the old Mission San Francisco de
Asis. commonly known as the Dolores
Mission. The Mission, which was the
initial settlement effected by the Span
iards on the shores of San Francisco
Bay and the stepping-stone leading to
the developement OF the present city,
was founded by the franciscan monks.
Father Francisco Palou and Father Pc
dro Benito Cambon. on the 4th of
October. 1776. just four months after
the thirteen colonies OF the Atlantic
coast had east of their allegiance 10
England. and what remains of tho old
Mission buildings are therefore the
most ancient structures in San Fran
cisco.
Among these early settlers were the
ancestors of some families still well
known in this State. among the number
being the Yaliejos, Briones, Gallindos,
Castros. Pacheeos. Bernals, Higneras,
Sanchezes. Peraltas, Flores, Herman
dezes, Masas, Sotos. and YaIeneias
The first children born in the infant
city and baptized by Father Palou
were a son of Ignacio Soto and daugh-
ter of Jose Antonio Sanchez, the former
receiving the name of Francisco Jose
de los Dolores. and the latter Maria de
los Dolores Morales.
The discovery of gold brought the
sturdy. adventurous miners from all
parts Of the world To California, and the
present city springing up at first far
away from the old Mission has grown
out To il and beyond ii, and all that
now remains of the original pueblo is
1 the old Mission Church. which is still IN
fair state of preservation. and a few
/ old abode buildings. none of which are
more than ruins. OF these the one best
preserved IS the two-story structure
4 fronting on Dolores street, at the head
/ Of Sixteenth. which was once portion
of the quadrilateral forming the Mission
proper. II was at first used as work
shops and dormitories, and after the
Mexican Independence as a barracks
for troops Later on IL was used as a
hotel, and in its great hall merry par
ties are s@id 10 have assembled to dance
In times long by At present il is va
cant. except in the extreme rear. where
q few cattle are stabbed. On Sixteenth
street, below Dolores. the remains are
20 be seen of what was once the home
Of the Valencias. Although this family
once owned immense possessions in
lands and cattle. their place of abode
was not by any means an imposing
structure at its best, and to-day j. a
mere heap of ruins the greater por-
ton of the building hav-ng cssyed in
last winter. Nearly opposite this
stands a long one-story building,
with its gable TO the street, which
was once the home of the Ruffinos. Its
tiled roof is still in position, but the
greater portion of the side walls are
broken and in many places fallen in.
Only the end fronting on the street is
occupied, being used as shop for
sharpening saws and edged tools. An
other small adobe stands near the Va
lencia house. but is unoccupied. and
close by are several other of the orr iginal
houses which have been reconstructed
by having the upper works set upon
the adobe walls. Very little of the old
pueblo therefore remains, and it will
not be many years when these few rel
les of the past suecumb to the ravages
of time unless something is done to
preserve them
The old Spanish families. too. of the
pueblo are widely scattered and very
few Spanish names are met with about
tne mission
The RHffinos and De Haros live on
Dolores street, between Fifteenth and
Sixteenth. and Mrs. Bernal on Seven
teenth street J. Valencia occupied
small frame house which was many
years ago made an annex To the Va
lencia mansion. Mrs. Tieza lives in
one of the reconstructed adobes on
Sixteenth street and Victor Guerrero
also lives in the vicinity.
With the arrival of the Americans
the pleasant site of the Mission became
a favorite place with many of them.
although somewhat more difficult of
access than ut present-SaH francisco
Cali