King City - Mission San Antonio de Padua

History

This mission fell into decay so quickly after being secularized in 1834 that no buyer could be found for it when it was advertised for sale eleven years later. Everything that was not nailed or screwed down was stolen, and the interior demolished. It was 1907 before a start was made on restoration, especially of the church and the inner courtyard, and this was not completed until the fifties. A small museum houses some interesting artifacts from long ago. The rural character of the isolated valley gives the mission its special charm.

Location

Situated near the village of Jolon, about 40mi/66km south of Soledad and 36mi/58km north of San Miquel; turn off the 101 Jolon Road or Fort Hunter Ligett Military Reservation.