Mission Trail Today - The California Missions

#19, Santa Inés

This site is owned, designed, and operated by Mission enthusiast Kenneth A. Larson who has over a quarter century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and other areas of environmental design using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design.

All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2003 - 2008. Select photographs of my many visits to The California Missions built by Spain and Mexico between 1769 and 1823.

#19, Santa Inés Virgen y Martir.
Founded September 17, 1804
by Father Estevan Tapis.
Solvang.

Personal Observations I don't know how many times my father drove past this mission without stopping. I finally got to visit it for the first time in August 2001 with my then girl friend. It sits right on the edge of the quaint town of Solvang on a medium size site. What comes to mind as unusual is the garden with the Stations of the Cross. The floor plan is similar to Santa Barbara and other missions of a square with a chapel at one corner.

Mission Art & Photo-Art

Photography Gallery

Front. 7-30-01.

Chapel. 7-30-01.

Site from the grits mills. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Photo date: 4-3-04.

Front of church and bell tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

El Camino Real bell and Mission bell tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Bell Tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Bell Tower. Photo date: 4-3-04.

North side of church and cemetery. Photo date: 4-3-04.

North side of church and cemetery. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Door to chapel. 7-30-01.

Detail of door to chapel. 7-30-01.

Unrestored column. 9-14-03.

Unrestored column. 9-14--03.

Colonnade. 7-30-01.

Olive Mill Wheel Photo date: 4-3-04.

Stations of the Cross walk. 7-30-01.

Station of the Cross overlooking the agricultural Santa Ines Valley. 9-14-03

Mission Santa Ines Grits Mills

Two mills and mission beyond. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Unfortunately, the Mission Santa Ines grits mills are not visible from Mission Santa Ines and are not generally open to the public. I do not want to discourage you from visiting the mills. If you are determined to visit the mills personally, as I was, be aware that the mills are on private property and you must obtain permission from Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation to visit the mills. Once they approve your visit, they will send you a map without which, you will not find the mills. You will need a solid vehicle as you need to cross a small river (no bridge), and drive a half mile along a rough undeveloped road. The only facilities provided is a port-a-potty. Or, enjoy these slides.

The Mills are not easily visible from the mission, only the roof tops can be seen above the foreground trees. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Approaching the west mill. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Approaching the east mill. Photo date: 4-3-04.

The plaque says... Old Grist Mill Built 1820 by Joseph Chapman, Bostonian, deserter from Pirate Bouchard who burned Ortega Adobe, Rancho de Refugio. Chapman arrested, sentenced to firing squad but paroled to Mission Santa Ines. As Master Workman, built this New England type Grits Mill. and duplicate at Mission San Gabriel. Married Guadalupe Ortega at Mission Santa Ines. Founding important California family. Marker placed by California Centenial Commission in cooperation with Reina Del Mar Parlor No. 126. N. D. G. W. Dedicated September 9, 1950

The mills are nestled at the edge of a large open field. It was very peaceful. Photo date: 4-3-04.

South side of mill site.

South side of mill site.

South side of west mill.

East mill.

East mill from across basin.

Basin for holding water for the mill wheels.

East mill from basin

Basin for holding water for the mill wheels.

West mill.

Looking west.

Water once entered the mill through this inlet.

Mill pond.

Basin.

Basin.

From east mill looking toward west mill with Mission Santa Ines beyond.

Wall of mill pond.

Wall of mill pond.

West mill south side looking east.

West mill south side looking east.

West mill south side corner.

West mill, south side, door.

West mill, south side, door.

West mill interior. Photo date: 4-3-04.

West mill interior. Photo date: 4-3-04.

West mill from east mill. Photo date: 4-3-04

West mill from east mill.

East Mill.

East Mill.

East mill, interior.

East mill, interior.

Mission Santa Ines as seen from the grits mills. Photo date: 4-3-04.

Sources:

This site began as a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.

Copyright © 2003 - 2009, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved. Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

This page last updated: Thursday, 17-Sep-2009 22:51:54 CDT