The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-24
Two Prosperous Communities
Where Progress Is Seen on
Every Hand.
SOME HISTORIC "REMINISCENCES
The Old Mission With Its Legends
and Its Traditions of the
Past.


the Gabilan range of mountains on the
west and south and by the Mount Diablo
range on the east, is only just south OF San
Francisco's neighbor, Santa Clara. The
territory of historic Monterey lying north
east of the Gabilan range, by an act of the
Legislature became San Benito County in
1874. Later MERGED and Fresno counties
each gave a slice to their newly created
sister.
The majestic San Benito River drains
the main valley, which is but continue
ton of the far-famed Santa Clara Valley,
and possesses all the valued characteristics
of that wonderful valley of fruit.
San Juan, Los Muratos, Santa Ana, Pa
noche and Bitterwater, drained by tribu-
tary streams, are among the numerous
valleys which with San Benito go to make
up this rich county, which is as yet COM
paratively undeveloped.
In the early days, before .he stars and
stripes foated over this royal heritage by
the Western sea, the Spanish padres and
Mexican dons were established and lived
their prosperous, free handed, picturesque
lives in the beautiful valleys which border
on the Southern Pacific coast railroad that
bends at Gilroy and winds off to the west
and thence southwark through the Salinas
Valley to San Luis Obispo.
Travellers do not realize how near they
are to the historic old mission of San Juan
de Bautists (St. John the Baptist) when
they pass Sargents. From Sargents COM
Portable stage line of fourteen miles crosses
the valley through San Juan to Hollister.
The road, which is smooth and well
sprinkled during the dry season, winds
out through lovely hills into a glorious
little valley. From Sargents to Hollister
every foot of ground is replete with his
toric and romantic interest.
Mark Regain, the stage-driver, points out
everything worth seeing. Regain is one of
the observing. well-informed, interesting
drivers of the old school who are rapidly
passing away. The fund of information
which ne has gathered driving over the
Western plains, and the local facts and fic-
tons of San Benito County which he is
able to give ont, make the drive from
Sargents one of interest.
1t will be news to great majority of San
Franciscans to know that one of the best
preserved of interesting old missions is
within three hours pleasant ride by rail
and stage from Fourth and Townsend or
Valencia-street stations.
The foundations of this old adobe mis-
sion building with its long Moorish porch
fronting on the locust bordered plaza in
the town of San Juan was laid in 1875. By
industry and patient effort almost SUPER
human, considering the class of labor
the native Indians-and the material at
their disposal, the Franciscan fathers
dedicated this mission on June "a, 1887.
On st. John the Baptist's day, the oath
OF the present month, the people of the
quiet village of San Juan celebrate the
ninety-eighth anniversary of this dedica-
ton. The same melodious bells which
were brought from Peru in that far-away
time will ring out over the fair valley on
that anniversary day, which will be one of
festivity.
The main. portion of the old church is
well enough preserved to be in use and is
in charge of kindly benevolent Spanish
father. whose life hope is that the old mis-
sion church may be restored. The parish
is poor, help must come from the outside.
1t takes so much money to feed, clothe and
educate the 200 orphans cared for in the
orphanage, which is on the site of the Con-
vent of the Sacred Heart which was located
on the mission ground early in the century,
that the old building is allowed to
go uncared for. Many tourists come
through the San Juan Valley to
visit the historic points of interest. All
deplore the fact that the main building has
very modern shingle roof instead of the
old tiles, which had to be removed in order
to the great pile of tiles which could be re-
placed over the water-tight shingles at a
comparatively small cost, but the most in
terested ones pass on and the tiles still re-
main in a picturesque, UNCOVERED heap
on the ground.
Overlooking this fair mission valley OF
San Juan is Fremonts Peak, the highest
point of the Gabilan range. This peak will
be forever marked as being the first place
in the State where the stars and stripes
were raised. On the summit of this peak
General Fremont intrenched himself
against the Mexicans, who were under the
leadership OF General Castro. But this is
all an old story.
The rambling adobe house which was
the home of General Castro still stands in
well-kept condition. 1t adioins the old
hotel, facing the plaza, in the heart of the
town of San Juan. 1t is owned by the
Breeme family, who have caretaker in
charge. They keep the place in excellent
repair, simply because OF its historic in.
terest.
In the coming years those who have
carefully guarded historic places from the
careless and from the vandalism of the
curiosity seeker will be held in grateful
memory.
San Juan has most comfortable hotel
The building is adobe, with wide, sunny
porches facing the plaza. This hotel
which is very well managed, makes this
quiet nook favorite point for the many
tourists who come and often linger here
because of the beautiful scenery and mild
climate.
There are many country houses scat
tereo about the valley whose doors are
Hospitality open to strangers. Good board
ing amid very pleasant surroundings is
easily obtained. The extensive grounds
pretty cottages and altogether charming
home-like place of Mr.. Garfield is perhaps
the most notable in the immediate vicinity
of San Juan. Very many City people have
pleasant memories of this Garfield dairy