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Virtual Guidebook to El Camino Real
Mission La Purisima - Part Three
La Purisima Mission State Historical Park, near Lompoc in northern Santa Barbara County California
In a long walled space behind the two main buildings there were outdoor work areas. There was special equipment for crushing grapes, pressing olives, and curing hides. Broad eaves provided work space sheltered from sun and rain
On the other side there was another arcade, then gardens, pens and corrals for animals, and irrigated fields of corn, beans, vegetables and chiles. The aqueduct brought water first to a fountain and cistern, then to a lavanderia for washing clothes. A special walled dormitory or monjerio was maintained for unmarried Indian girls, and there were rows of tule houses for the Indians.
Up the gentle valley north along El Camino Real there were fields of grain and a springhouse at the head of the aqueduct.
 | Hornos, stone bread ovens, behind the residence at Mission la Purisima (April 27, 2008) | |
 | An olive crushing mill and a grape press produced oil and wine needed for religous services (April 27, 2008) | |
 | Tallow vats used for making soap, located behind the cemetery away from the residence (April 27, 2008) | |
 | Matilija poppies, a California native, at Mission la Purisima (June 10, 2010) | |
 | A decorative fountain was also the source for drinking and cooking water, the cistern held surplus water until needed for washing and irrigation (April 27, 2008) | |
 | The monjerio, a walled compound and windowless building for unmarried Indian girls at Mission la Purisima (June 10, 2010) | |
 | A village of tule huts housed many of the Indians at Mission la Purisima (April 27, 2008) | |
 | Open aqueduct leading from the spring house to Mission la Purisima (June 10, 2010) | |
 | Spring house with sand filter at Mission la Purisima (June 10, 2010) | |