Over 2,000 years ago before the famous Mission District of California first arose, the Ohlone Indians inhabited the region. In the late 18th century, Spanish missionaries arrived there and encountered the peaceful Ohlone and their hunter gatherer village. And that's where the first mission, Mission San Francisco de Asis was founded in 1776. Thus begins a legacy of California missions, and an architectural style that would not only proliferate throughout California but travel across the nation.



The Spanish mission style of architecture became incredibly popular after the turn of the century, especially with the fusion of Art Deco in the 20's. T.P. Barnett's Spanish art deco building in St. Louis provides a great example. On historic Washington Ave. is where the building sits, and it tells a tale that dates all the way back to the Ohlone in 1776.

Ohlone became labor for the missions, a cruel reality and a very sad end to a peaceful people, but also marked the beginnings of the west coast of America. Mexican and Spanish ranches also came to populate the area, as more and more Indians fled the region.

However, today these missions are great cultural districts for the Hispanic population, and an oasis of Hispanic artists and hipsters. The Chicano and Latino community find their roots here in the mission district, expressed in the architecture and surroundings. These regions are largely bilingual, and the mission district is also a great tourist destination.

It's no wonder the missions of California continue to draw the kind of tourist attraction they do. And, it's no wonder that school children in California are still assigned the ?mission project? in their schools, were they are asked to build their own miniature missions out of their own materials, after studying the architecture of the missions and the basic building style and history. It's because the Spanish mission style of architecture is iconic in a way.

The Spanish mission style of architecture symbolized the bringing-in of a new era in American history. It's about the past and the present colliding to form a rich future from bare materials and a dream. These missions were about converting people to Spanish Christianity, and in their efforts they managed to end a great culture of Native Americans, and usher-in a newer, equally rich culture of Hispanic Americans.

People today all throughout California and the United States love to commission buildings in the Spanish mission style. The architecture in California is highly prized by Hispanic Americans and non-Hispanic Californians. It speaks of an American colonialism that no longer exists but in the beauty of the still-standing walls and arches. These are some of the oldest historical buildings in the United States, and people treasure them for that.

The United States is a fairly new country, all things considered, and the Spanish mission style of architecture is truly an American innovation. That's why we recognize it and love it in the architectural designs throughout the nation. Going back to the T.P. Barnett building in St. Louis, you can see how the style has a very American, west-coast feel to it. It's reminiscent of a time when America had an open, rich frontier, with new discoveries on the horizon