The Journal of San Diego History
SAN DIEGO HISTORICAL SOCIETY QUARTERLY
Fall 1985, Volume 31, Number 4
Thomas L. Scharf, Editor

Book Notes

Raymond Starr, Book Review Editor

From Velicata To San Diego. By Lupita Barbosa E. and Martin Barron E. Ensenada, Mexico: Comité Pro-Restauración y Conservación de las Msiones de Baja California. 1984. Maps. Illustrations. Bibliography. 50 Pages.

In order to stimulate interest in the Mission San Fernando Velicata (Serra’s only Baja California mission), the Comité Pro-Restauracion y Conservacion de las Misiones de Baja California has published a very attractive book. It is a bilingual (Spanish and English) account of the early history of Baja California, the Spanish explorations, and early settlements. It includes general material on the early life of Junipero Serra, and somewhat more detail on his trek from Velicata to San Diego in 1769. There is also considerable material on the first mass and the founding of the mission at Velicata. The text mostly covers familiar ground and presents the story in the uncritical manner of Francisco Palou and Zephryn Engelhardt. The excellent selection of maps, drawings, and photographs, however, adds much to the effectiveness of the presentation and makes this a successful publication.