Posted on Jul 1, 2006

On June 15, 2006, Mission San Miguel officially received its plaque designating Mission San Miguel a National Historic Landmark from National Parks Service Regional Director Jon Jarvis. The National Historic Landmark designation is the highest such recognition accorded by our nation to historic properties. Mission San Miguel represents a fine example of Franciscan mission architecture, which later inspired the Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Rival architecture that continues to characterize the Southwest United States to this day. Districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects that possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States in history, architecture, archeology, technology, and culture qualify for historic landmark designation. Fewer than 2,500 historic places across the United States carry the title of National Historic Landmark. The site of Mission San Miguel was chosen in 1797 as one of twenty-one missions throughout California. By 1808, tiles and adobe blocks were made and stored until the stone foundation of the church was laid in 1816. After the challenges of bringing in roofing timbers from mountains located 40 miles away, the structure was completed in 1818. By 1821, the entire church was complete, along with the interior murals. The missions founded throughout California mark place names and important transportation routes such as U.S. 101 that are still used today. “Mission San Miguel was not selected to be one of only 2,500 designated National Landmarks, just because it is old, but because it has integrity”, said Jarvis. Compared with the other few remaining missions, Mission San Miguel retains a high level of its original structure. San Miguel, with its rural setting and remaining components, is important in demonstrating the holistic nature of a mission community as a residential and economic institution as well as a religious establishment. Other speakers and honored guests included: US Senator Barbara Boxer Representative Ameen Khan, US Senator Diane Feinstein Representative Sarah Moffat, US Representative Bill Thomas Representative Mike Whitford, Mission San Miguel Guardian Brother Bill Short, Salian Tribe of Monterey Elder Shirley Macagni, and Artisan-Builder Estevan Munras descendant Engracia Munras Dougherty. John Warren and his New World Baroque Orchestra added to the feel of this historic event by performing in their historical attire, historically written Mission music of the Colonial period.