Mission San Juan Bautista surviving earthquakes and time
Kevin Knauss
Green door surrounded by vine and adobe at the mission.
As an Alfred Hitchcock fan I thought it would be fun to stop at the Mission San Juan Batista and see where he filmed part of the movie Vertigo. In the process we stumbled across a cool little town with more history than just a bit part in a movie.
Good design transcends time
Immediately I was struck with the beauty that is an 18th century mission. It is the genesis for the “mission” style we associate with later buildings, furniture and consumer design items. I was surprised at how both the interior and exterior elements of the mission would draw me in and provide a sense of comfort. This was even after I read the warning that the mission is an unreinforced masonry building and may be unsafe in the event of an earthquake.
San Juan Bautista Mission has certainly seen its share of damage from earthquakes. It was only after I started researching the mission did I learn that the San Andreas earthquake fault runs along the mission. This history explains the primitive but informative seismometer inside the mission.
More than just the mission
While the mission is certainly historic for California, it is not supported by the state. However, there are other buildings across from the mission that are part of the California State Parks system. The Plaza Hotel, Hall, Stables and Castro-Breen Adobe have been wonderfully preserve and are a tremendous addition to the history of small 19th century ranching and farming community in California.
I also learned that even before the mission, Juan Bautista de Anza of Spain travelled through the area leading settlers through Alta California. The trek is commemorated by the Juan Bautista De Anza National Historic Trail.
I want to move here!
We walked into town where I was attracted to the Mission Clock shop. It is nice to see a small community supporting a local merchant. On our way out of town we stopped at Vertigo coffee. I tried a double shot of their tasty Kyoto coffee. This specialty coffee is brewed over a 24 hour period through a glass contraption that looks like it is out of a chemistry lab. The historic little town of San Juan Bautista will continually be way point for us whenever we are heading over to the coast from now on. It would be even better if I could find a way to move there!
Small homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo staring Jimmy Stewart and Kim Novak.
Brick support on outside of a mission door way.
Blooming cactus flower in the courtyard of the mission San Juan Bautista
Church cat sun bathing on the window sill of the sanctuary, San Juan Bautista Mission
Vintage mid century modern clock, German, tile and eye design, at the Mission clock shop
Walking on the original El Camino Real, next to San Juan Bautista Mission, also the San Andreas earthquake fault.
Field workers next to the mission.
Hide and tallow pots of the Castro-Breen Adobe, part of the San Juan Bautista Park
Coffee brewing apparatus at Vertigo coffee for their Kyoto brew
Livery and carriage stables, part of the San Juan Bautista California State Park
Friendly state park worker ready to give you the history.
Monarch butterfly on sea lavender next to the mission.
French Morbier clock with moving butcher scene on pendulum at the Mission Clock shop.
Plaza Hotel part of the San Juan Bautista state park
Mantel clock in the Plaza Hotel, 8 day time and strick, American made kitchen clock type. Notice the fishing line holding the clock upright in case of earthquake.
Plaza Hotel Dining room.
Plaza Hotel Saloon.
Another friendly park employee ready to take our fees and give us a history lesson.
Note: Warning you are entering an unreinforced masonry building in an earthquake zone.
Entry way into the main sanctuary at San Juan Bautista Mission
Door way at mission, notice the thickness of the walls. This must have been an important room with the trim around and on top of the door.
Primitive, but functional, seismometer. It will tell how you big the shaker was and if the building was knocked out of level.
Bell tower of San Juan Bautista Mission.
Some of the door ways will sport a clerestory window above.
Sanctuary of the mission from the courtyard.
Interior portico of the mission. Almost hypnotic in its diminishing site line.
Arched entry to outside portico.
Nice green door surrounded by adobe at San Juan Bautista.
Original parchment hymnal written large enough for all the choir to see and sing or chant from.
Exterior portico facing the square.
San Juan Bautista Mission sign.
Exterior wall of the mission, damaged and rebuilt after the 1906 earthquake.
Studebaker delivery wagon.
Green door surrounded by vine and adobe at the mission.
Faded and peeling green paint on wavy trim of mission door.
Wedding party waiting for the big ceremony to take place at the mission.
