The Founders of The Mission

The Spanish sent more than 200 men from New Spain to start the mission chain in Alta California. Fray Junipero Serra was sent to accompany Gaspar de Portola as president of the missions.Fray Serra first founded Mission San Diego de Alcala.

  In 1772, when food supplies started to dwindled, father Junipero Serra remembered the “La Canada de Los Osos” (Valley of The Bears). This was important because when the supplies dwindled, the Spanish soldiers killed the bears and traded them for seeds. He decided to send hunters to kill the bears in order to feed the Spanish. This huge success of hunting caused Fray Serra to consider building a mission in the fertile soil of San Luis Obispo. The area was rich with water and had a mild climate, making it a good site for a mission.

Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa is located near the town of San Luis Obispo. The mission is the fifth in founding order. It was founded on September1, 1772.