The Curator’s Corner:

Mission Dolores is the birthplace of modern San Francisco and the oldest intact mission church in California. The beautiful building you see is essentially the same structure that the Franciscan missionaries envisioned two hundred and fifty years ago. Though small by comparison to modern churches, the mission looms large in the history of California.

Go into the Old Mission Church and look towards the doors that exit to Dolores Street. You will see six flags hanging from the Choir Loft. These flags represent six countries that have influenced the area since 1776. 

Starting near the spiral staircase, the first flag is Saint George's Cross. Britain influenced North America beginning in the 1600s, but did not govern California directly. Sir Francis Drake sailed into the San Francisco Bay in the late 16th Century. Next is the Russian Flag. Russia established Fort Ross in Northern California as part of its expansion from Alaska, though this presence was limited and temporary. 

Next is the flag of the King of Spain. Spain was the primary colonial power in California and much of the American Southwest. Spanish missions and settlements established long-term territorial control. The fourth flag is that of Mexico; it flew over San Francisco after Mexico gained independence from Spain in 1821. Mexico inherited Alta California and governed it until the Mexican-American War in 1848.

The Flag with the Bear on it represents the California Bear Republic. The California Bear Republic was a short-lived unrecognized nation that lasted 25 days in 1846. This flag is the inspiration of the modern California State Flag.

The last flag with the 31 Stars and 13 Stripes, represents the United States of America at the time California entered the Union on September 9, 1850.

Next week, read about the three (bell) ropes you see hanging from the ceiling...

 To be continued…..