In 1771,
Junipero Serra Father (statue here, also at San Rafael, San Antonio, San Fernando) founded the mission near the Santa Ana River. According to legend, the expedition came across a large hostile group of Tongva. One of the padres laid out a large painting of Nuestra Senora, "Our Lady of Sorrows", whereupon the Natives, so moved by the beauty, made peace. The original mission was destroyed by a flash flood in 1776, whereupon the mission moved to its current location.
San Gabriel, California
