Overview
Amid the manicured greens of Presidio Park lay the vestiges of San Diego’s intriguing heritage.
The most popular of the park's attractions is the Junipero Serra Museum, which commemorates the site where California’s first mission was established in the mid-18th century.
Built in 1929, the Museum celebrates much of San Diego’s Hispanic roots, touching on Spanish and Mexican colonization, Indian culture at the time of European encroachment, as well as subsequent archeological investigation.
On July 16, 1769, Spanish missionary Father Junipero Serra planted a cross on what is now Presidio Hill, thereby founding the Mission San Diego de Alcala. The mission was contained within the Royal Presidio of San Diego, which served as the headquarters for the Spanish soldiers who accompanied and protected California missions.
Royal Presidio’s Chapel served as the community church until 1841. Although the mission was relocated from the Presidio area to Mission Valley just five years later, relics from both structures can be recognized as the grassed-over knolls in Presidio Park.
The park’s daunting Serra Cross, erected in 1913, was actually constructed from floor tile garnered within the century-old ruins.
Another Presidio Park landmark is the Fort Stockton site, the remnants of which commemorate the Mormon Battalion. This devoted Battalion performed, or suffered, it would seem, the longest overland infantry march in U.S. history -- from San Diego to Iowa. Perpetual archeological digs on this and all sites at Presidio Park continue to bestow interesting insight into the daily lives of some of San Diego’s earliest residents.---Michael
Rando
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