Mission Santa Clara de Asis – Hamilton Historical Records

On January 2, 1847, the Battle of the Mustard Stalks, more commonly known as the Battle of Santa Clara, began on a mustard field near Mission Santa Clara de Asís. The battle continued until February 7th and was the only battle of the Mexican-American War in northern California.

On February 8th, 1847, an armistice between Mexican forces, led by Francisco Sanchez, and the Americans was signed by an Oak tree. The Mexican revolt was the last of its kind in Northern California until California became a state in 1850.

In present day, historical markers indicate a site of the battle and of the armistice, by the Santa Clara City Hall.

The original historical marker for the armistice was moved when the El Camino Real Road was modified.

Mission Santa Clara, Mission Santa Clara de Asís, Mission Santa Clara de Asis, Santa Clara, California

The Mission Period In The Santa Clara Valley

June 3, 2019June 4, 2019 Hamilton Historical Records

In 1769, Ohlone Indians first encountered Spanish travelers in the bay area. A few years later, on January 12, 1777, Mission Santa Clara de Asis became the eighth of the Catholic California missions founded in California.

The plaques associated with “Stroll into the Past”, next to the the Santa Clara City Hall Building, where part of the city’s 150th anniversary celebration in 2002.

Mission Santa Clara, Mission Santa Clara de Asis

The Third Established Church for Mission Santa Clara

May 15, 2019May 15, 2019 Hamilton Historical Records

Construction for the third site for Mission Santa Clara de Asis began in 1781 after the first two Mission churches had flooded. On May 15, 1784, the third building was dedicated as a official mission church.

The third Mission was deemed to be a success by Catholic authorities at the time.

In the 1900s, Santa Clara University was formed and took ownership of the mission property.

Santa Clara University has the fourth mission building on campus and open to the public.

In present day various plaques mark the third site for Mission Santa Clara with a large wooden cross, as the original building is no longer in existence.

de Saisset Art and History Museum, Mission Santa Clara de Asis, Santa Clara University

Mission Santa Clara De Asís At Santa Clara University

February 26, 2018November 28, 2018 Hamilton Historical Records

On February 23, 2018 I visited Mission Santa Clara de Asís, within the property of Santa Clara University, for my first time. I have been to other missions in the Bay Area, such as in Santa Cruz and Monterey before, but Mission Santa Clara was the most fascinating of the ones I had seen at that time.

Inside of the church there are several paintings and sculptures of Jesus and of various Christian saints. There are multiple silk sheets and plaques at the main entrance with information on the Spaniards that built the mission itself. The grounds around the church are built in a Spanish style decor which Santa Clara University has preserved.

Mission Santa Clara was named after Clare of Assisi and was founded on the Guadalupe River on January 12, 1777, about a year and a half after the American Revolutionary War began.

Next to the mission structures is the de Saisset Art and History Museum of Santa Clara University. The main exhibit downstairs consisted of history of various pioneers and inventors in the area.

One featured inventor, was Santa Clara College graduate John J. Montgomery who built a glider called the “aeroplane”.

Upstairs was a lovely Jazz photo collection of Chuck Stewart and other musicians. In addition there were fifty sketches from artist Michael Mazur who was depicting his vision of Dante’s Inferno.