Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-06-14
rnE MISSION poloREs.
Adobe Ruins or What Were the Homes {
Historic California Families.

MI00ION 6SLOnG9e
Adobe Ruin. or what Were the Homes OF
Historic California Families
To a resident in or a visitor to 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 mad cast off their allegiance to
England. and what remains of the 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 Vallejos. Briones, Gallindos.
Sanchezes. Peraltas, Flores. Herman
dezes. Masas, Sotos. and Valencias.
The first children born in the infant
city and baptized by Father Palou
were n 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
parts of the world to California, and the
present city springing up ut first far
away from the old Mission has grown.
out to it and beyond it, and all that
now remains of the original pueblo is
the old Mission Church. which is still m
a fair state of preservation, and few
Did abode buildings. none of which are
more than ruins. OF these the one best
preserved is the two-story structure
fronting on Dolores street, at the head
of Sixteenth. which was once portion
of the quadrilateral forming the Mission
proper. 1t was at first used as work
shops and dormitories. and after the
Mexican independence as a barracks
for troops. Later on it was used as a
hotel, and in its great hall merry par
ties are said to have assembled to dance
in times long by. At present it is va
cant, except in the extreme rear. where
few cattle are stabbed. On Sixteenth
street, below Dolores, the remains are
to 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 is a
mere heap of ruins. the greater por-
ton of the building having caved 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. It's
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 a 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 original
houses which have boen 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 succumb 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
the mission.
The Ruffinos 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
favorite place with many of them.
although somewhat more difficult of
access than at present.-SGn Francisco
Call.