The San Francisco Bay Area

[Smarty218 2]

Great work, although if you're going for a really accurate re-creation, you should notice that SF is a bit more hilly. The actual city looks a bit flat.

Nevertheless, great work!

[edmonton_stinks 5]

Nice realism! Downtown looks great.

[bbfan02 23]

That is a great shot of the downtown! Also, great industrial port!

-bbfan02-

[jim5917 1]

allez I’om:  Thanks for the support.

Kiwi n Grapes:  Yes, it does.  Thanks for looking.

hijodecordoba:  Good question.  The following updates (The Missions) talk more about the natives and the story of each individual mission.  In short, many Indians were killed from disease and many others left to rejoin their old tribes.  The ones that remained until secularization either stayed and worked at the ranchos or went back to the tribes and their old way of life.  I’ll include a bibliography in a separate post in case you want to do any extra reading.  One of the books had an interesting story about Ishi the “last wild Indian”.  I’m sure you can find out about him online.

Smarty218:  True, but the Financial District is on fairly level terrain.  Plenty of hill to the right (north) of the picture.

edmonton_stinks:  Thanks for the post.  . . . so are you from Calgary by any chance?

bbfan02: Thanks.  This is the Oakland side of the Bay Bridge.  Technically it should be north of the ports.

To Everyone:  The following post is chapter 2.  It covers the missions located in my region.  There are 7 of them and I plan on posting 2 or 3 each week.  Enjoy.

[jim5917 1]

CHAPTER 2: THE MISSION CHAIN

In 1768, one year after the New Spain mission system in Baja California was converted to the Franciscan Order, Frey Junipero Serra was given the task of establishing a chain of missions in Alta California.  Spain had already explored the region and was aware of the fertile land and ideal areas for harbors and cities.  Spain knew that other countries wanted to colonize this land and needed to act quickly or they would loose their chance.  The plan was to make these missions self sustained by utilizing the fertile soil and introducing various crops and livestock to the region.  Along with the missions, presidios and pueblos would be established to provide a military and civilian presence.  Fr. Serra, along with Gaspar de Portola, arrived in San Diego early in 1769.  It was here on July 16, 1769 that Fr. Serra dedicated the first mission of Alta California.  Over the next 35 years 18 other missions, 4 presidios and many pueblos would be established along El Camino Real (The Royal Highway) stretching from San Diego to San Francisco. Two more missions located north of San Francisco, across the Golden Gate, were built in 1817 and 1823.  These Spanish settlements provide a basis for western civilization in California and the Bay Area.  Each missions has it’s own unique story and provides perspective to a time long before large cities and busy highways dotted the landscape.

Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo

Number 2 of 21

 

On June 3, 1770, nearly one year after establishing Mission San Diego de Alcala, Frey Junipero Serra founded Mission San Carlos Borromeo de Carmelo on a hill overlooking Monterey Bay.  Along with the mission a presidio was founded to house soldiers.  One year later, due to it’s proximity to the presidio (and the unruly soldiers), the Mission was permanently moved south to the more fertile Carmel Valley.   First mass at the new location took place on August 24, 1771 and Fr. Serra moved into the completed mission 4 months later.  The present mission was complete in 1797 and, unlike many of the other missions, was built with stone instead of adobe.  As a result Mission San Carlos would be one of the few missions to remain intact through the coming decades.   

This mission was favored by Fr. Serra and served as the headquarters of the Alta California Mission Chain over most of the next 60 years.  It was here that on August 28, 1784 Fr. Serra was laid to rest inside the church.  In the coming decades Mission San Carlos, along with the entire mission chain, would prosper.  The Mission population reached a height of 927, over 4000 Indians were baptized and there was an abundance of crops. After secularization in 1934 the mission was abandoned and left to decay.  In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed an act declaring that all of the missions were to be returned to the Catholic Church.  70 years later Mission San Carlos became a parish church and restoration efforts finally started.  As a result the mission has once again regained the beauty of centuries ago.

[IDS2 3,428]

San Fran rules all! I went there last summer; world's most awesome city. Good luck!

[Pinoy30 0]

cool love what you have done so far, used to live in the bay area , South San Francisco and Union City. well keep up the good works

[wir3d 2]

WOW. Cool cj. It must be hard to copy a real city because you have to follow all the ways the city was built so that us (the critics) don't rate the cj bad. Good Job!!

[wir3d 2]

WOW. Cool cj. It must be hard to copy a real city because you have to follow all the ways the city was built so that us (the critics) don't rate the cj bad. Good Job!!

[hijodecordoba 74]

very informativ. that's a lot of work to do and you get my respect.

[lucky7 73]

Very nice mission! And thanks for the background information, looking forward to more,

lucky7

[jim5917 1]

Mission San Francisco de Asis (Dolores)

Number 6 of 21

 

Early in 1776 a group of settlers, soldiers and cattle led by Lt. Colonel Juan Bautista de Anza arrived at the mission in Monterey.  From here a group headed north to establish two missions, a presidio and two pueblos near the San Francisco Bay.  Upon their arrival at the end of the peninsula De Anza selected sites for the presidio, a pueblo and a mission.  Upon his return to Monterey he instructed Lt. Moraga and Fr. Palou to lead a party back to San Francisco to colonize the area.  On June 29, 1776, 5 days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence by America, Mission San Francisco de Asis was founded along the edge of Laguna de Nuestra Senora de los Dolores (Dolores Lagoon). Over it’s life the mission faced several hardships such as bad weather, poor crop production and disease.  As a result, in 1817 a hospital (later Mission San Raphael) was established north of the Golden Gate to provide protection against the dense fog, wind and rain and to care for sick neophytes.  Mark Twain said it best; "The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco". (*)  Despite the harsh conditions over 4000 natives were converted to Christianity.    In 1791 Fr. Palou relocated the church west, away from the lagoon and closer to the hills, where the church has remained to this day. 

After secularization the condition of the mission went through a state of decline and was even owed privately.  The California Gold Rush of the 1850s brought a revival of sorts to the mission.  The population of San Francisco swelled and the area around the mission was bustling with activity; most of which was drinking and gambling.  By 1857 the Mission was back in the hands of the Catholic Church.  In 1906 Mission Dolores, as it came to be called, survived an earthquake and the ensuing firestorm that tore through most of San Francisco. Over the last century the church has gone through many restoration efforts as a vibrant city has continued to grow around it. Today the church remains as the oldest original intact mission in California and the oldest building in San Francisco.  The lagoon which gave the church it’s nickname has long since been filled in.

* Although Mark Twain is often given credit for the quote actual evidence of him making it does not exist – regardless, the words hold meaning.

[jim5917 1]

Note:

The pictures of the stained glass were taken inside the basilica next to Mission Dolores.  Apparently commemorating the 20 OTHER missions along with Fr. Serra and Fr. Palou.  Since there was no glass for Mission Dolores I used the one with Fr. Palou and the mission in the background.  Probably will include Fr. Serra’s in the previous post.

Also no replies to questions or comments this update.  I don’t think I will be doing that bi-weekly.  Instead I will catch them all  next time.

Thanks

[waway625 72]

cant wait to see your version of the very crooked street (if ever you make one)..whats the name of that street again?

[nihonkaranws 88]

Nice job! Beautiful pictures! I am from Japan, but I've visited San Francisco four times, and each time I love it!

[Smarty218 2]

Very, very nice! Really memorable view on San Fran!

[Almighty Nienaber 3]

looks good to me

[skyliner22 16]

Originally posted by: waway625 cant wait to see your version of the very crooked street (if ever you make one)..whats the name of that street again?quote>

Lombard Street.

Mission Dolores looks alright but doesn't really look like the actual thing. I am not sure if there is no BAT close to it but you should use something besides a church. I may BAT Mission Dolores, seems kinda simple, not sure yet. Look forward to more

[Twenty20 28]

Excellent presentation, and very realistic pics. I'll try to follow this interesting CJ

[jacqulina 162]

very nice work your doing my friend

[hijodecordoba 74]

i like the picture and the story. well done

[jim5917 1]

Artur_001:  Oops . . . forgot about you last time since you got caught in between my two posts.  Anyway, I’m glad you like it.

IDS2: Awesome! I finally get that animated icon in my CJ. Lol.  Anyway, thanks.

Pinoy30:  In that case welcome home.  Seriously, maybe I’ll hit you up for advise on those two areas since I am not too familiar with them . . . or better yet you can make a request.  Hmm, I need to make the “South San Francisco City of Industry” sign.  I heard there is a sign making file around here somewhere.

Wir3d: It is a lot of work.  Due to the small ratio I am working with I seem to have much more creative flexibility than if I was making it a 1:1 ratio.  I realize I can’t be too anal about catching every detail since it is impossible.  With that said, hopefully I will still do a good job of representing the Bay Area. . . and Monterey too.  And you can let me know if I don’t.

Hijodecordoba:  Wow. Thanks.

Lucky7:  Thanks.  Welcome.  Looking forward to giving you more.

Wayway625: Aww, Lombard Street.  Unfortunately I did not include it.  One of the few “postcard type landmarks” that I missed.    Not really sure how it would work anyway since the streets tend to level when you make turns in the game.  Sorry ?

Nihonkaranws:  Cool! Glad you like it so far.  Hopefully you will have some fond memories when I finally introduce The City in a few weeks.

Smarty218:  Thanks. 

Almighty Nienabar:  Thank you and welcome to my CJ.

Skyliner22:  True, it doesn’t look too much like the real thing.  I’m fine using my imagination.  I remember taking a lot of time to decide on churches to use.  I went with the two church packs by simgoober.  Mostly since they were all fairly consistent in their appearance – as if they were all built by the same people in the same era. 

Twenty20:  Thanks. I’ll look forward to seeing you in the future.

Jacqulina: Thanks.

Hijodecordoba:  Thanks. I’m glad you are enjoying the history.  I’m enjoying it too. 

[jim5917 1]

Mission Santa Clara de Asis

Number 8 of 21

 

In 1776, while on his way to establishing a settlement in San Francisco, Lt. Juan Bautista de Anza selected a spot near the river he named Rio de Nuestra Senora Guadalupe as a spot for the second mission to be built near San Francisco Bay.  Soon afterwards a group led by Lt. Moraga and Fr. Tomas de la Pena arrived from San Francisco and established Mission Santa Clara de Asis on January 12, 1777.  In addition to the mission a pueblo by the name of San Jose was established a few miles to the east.  Unlike the mission in San Francisco, Mission Santa Clara was located in an ideal location inside a valley with fertile land and a good source of water.  As a result the mission would prosper with a bounty of crops and a strong population of cattle.

Over the next 150 years the mission would change ownership and be rebuilt many times.  In 1779 the Guadalupe River overflowed its banks and the padres decided it would be in their best interest to relocate the church.  A temporary structure located just south was used until the new church, dedicated by Fr. Serra, was completed in 1784.  Following an earthquake in 1818 a new location was chosen and the mission was completed in 1822.  The mission land was sold in 1836 following secularization of the mission chain by the Mexican government in 1834.  The mission itself remained unused for the next 15 years.  Then in 1851, under the Jesuit Order, Santa Clara College was established around the mission.   Following a fire the church was rebuilt in 1928.  Construction took place at the same site of the previous church and used the century old design as the model.  Today the church is open for regular service and events on the campus of Santa Clara University.

[Smarty218 2]

Great pictures, what effects w/ photoshop did you use on that one?

[wir3d 2]

Like brown stone church. Where did you get it?

[hijodecordoba 74]

the old brick houses are beautiful

[jim5917 1]

Mission Santa Cruz

Number 12 of 21

 

In 1769, while exploring the northern end of Monterey Bay, Gaspar de Portola came upon an area he named Santa Cruz and in 1774 Fr. Francisco Palou noted that the area would be a good place for a mission.  It wasn’t until 17 years later  that Frey Fermin Lausen would return to establish a Mission, which was named in Honor of the Holy Cross, on August 29, 1791.  By this time the mission chain in Alta California was well established; much to the benefit of Santa Cruz which received support from the surrounding missions.  Mission Santa Cruz, situated on a hill, thrived with the good weather, fertile soil and good crop production.  The neophytes were friendly and welcomed the missionaries and new way of life.

However, things would begin to change in 1794 when Diego Borica became governor and soon established the pueblo of Branceforte nearby.  Typically pueblos and missions were required to be separated by one Spanish league (approximately 3 miles).  Instead, Branceforte was founded just on the other side of the river.  The citizens of the pueblo were a bad influence on the neophyte population of the mission.  Over the coming decades the mission continued to suffer as the town encroached onto the mission land. In 1818 word got out that Hipolito Bouchard, a pirate, had made landfall near Monterey.  The padres asked the citizens of Branciforte to help evacuate the mission; instead the mission was looted.  The padre was so disheartened that he requested that the church be closed.  His request was denied and the struggling mission continued to serve the area until secularization of the mission chain in 1834.  The church was rebuilt in 1858 following an earthquake the prior year.  In 1889 Holy Cross Church was built on the mission site where it remains today.  In 1931 a one-half sized replica of the mission was built across the street from where the original once stood.

[Mike the Mayor 51]

Lovely churches and pictures, very nice indeed. I would like to go to SF sometime.

[yoshikoroyimara 5]

Hey...you live in San Jose? What district? Used to live there...or at least near there...awesome update...San Jose's downtown will be difficult, though...

[Smarty218 2]

Great update! I love the realism!