Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer

Mission San Pedro y
San Pablo de Bicuñer
Location Imperial County, California, near Yuma, Arizona
Coordinates 32°48′59″N 114°30′54″W / 32.81639°N 114.51500°W / 32.81639; -114.51500
Name as founded La Misión de San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer
English translation The Mission of Saint Peter and Saint Paul of Bicuñer
Patron The Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul
Founding date January 7, 1781
Founding priest(s) Father Francisco Garcés [1]
Founding Order Franciscan
Native tribe(s)
Spanish name(s)		 Quechan
Yuma
Current use Nonextant
Reference no. #921

Mission San Pedro y San Pablo de Bicuñer was founded on January 7, 1781 by Spanish Padre Francisco Garcés, to protect the Anza Trail where it forded the Colorado River, between colonial Mexico and Alta California.

The settlement, located about 10 miles (16 km) northeast of Yuma Crossing in present-day California, was not part of the Spanish California missions chain, but was administered as a part of the Arizona missions chain.

History

The Mission site and nearby pueblo were inadequately supported, and Spanish colonists seized the best lands, destroyed the Indians' crops, and generally ignored the rights of the local natives. [1]

In retaliation, the Quechan (Yuma) Indians and their allies attacked and destroyed the installation and the neighboring Mission Puerto de Purísima Concepción during a three-day period, from July 17–19, 1781. Some 50 Spaniards, including Father Garcés (along with three other friars and Captain Fernando Rivera y Moncada) were killed, and the women and children taken captive. The Indians' victory closed this crossing and seriously crippled future communications between Las Californias province and colonial Mexico, both within the Viceroyalty of New Spain.[1]

Today, only a California Historical Marker identifies the site. The marker is located on Imperial County Road 524, 0.2 mi W of the intersection of Levee Road and Mehring Road, and 4.4 mi NE of Bard, in northeastern Imperial County.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 R. Douglas Hurt, 2002, The Indian frontier, 1763-1846, UNM Press, ISBN 0-8263-1966-1. Google Books excerpt


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