La Purisima Mission - Part One

						Central California
						El Camino Real
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Virtual Guidebook to El Camino Real
La Purisima Mission - Part One
La Purisima Mission State Historical Park, near Lompoc in northern Santa Barbara County California

The modern traveler to La Purisima begins at the excellent visitor center, with displays on the native peoples, the history of the mission, and of its restoration by the CCC in the 1930's.

Two hundred years ago we would have approached on foot or horseback along El Camino Real. One of the first things to be seen, or heard, would be the campanario or bell wall.

The long low building is the mission church itself, enlivened with paintings and sculpture, and an altar radiant with gold leaf. A walled cemetery is behind the bells.

	Native American and Mission era exhibits at the Mission La Purisima Visitor Center (June 10, 2010) Standard Size or Large Size

	Exhibits on the CCC and mission restoration at the Mission La Purisima Visitor Center (June 10, 2010) Standard Size or Large Size

	El Camino Real ran west from Mission Santa Ines to Mission La Purisima (April 27, 2008) Standard Size or Large Size

	Simple ox carts were used to trasport agricultural products and building materials (April 27, 2008) Standard Size or Large Size

	Campanario or bell wall next to the church at Mission la Purisima (June 10, 2010) Standard Size or Large Size

	Behind the campanario and the church is the cemetery (April 27, 2008) Standard Size or Large Size

	The mission church at La Purisima, showing choir loft and confessional at the back (April 27, 2008) Standard Size or Large Size

	Next to the altar in the mission church at La Purisima, showing a bell wheel and steps up to the pulpit (April 27, 2008) Standard Size or Large Size

Next Locality: La Purisima Mission - Part Two