Established: September 1, 1772

By: Father Junipero

Order: 5th of the 21 missions

Location: Half way between the North and South ends of the mission chain.

Named For: Bishop Toulouse Saint Louis

Interesting Fact: Porches around the courtyard haveround pillers with square opening, unlike the arches of other missions.

In 1772 Mission San Luis Obispo deTolosa was the fifth mission founded by Father Junipero Serra. Mission San Luis Obispo had a war and its roof was set on fire. It helped California to be the leading state in wine in the world. For many years, Mission San Luis Obispo had one friar and his name was Miguel Gilbert. It was named after the Bishop of Toulouse, Saint Louis.

Mission San Luis Obispo's special features are the garden and its wine vineyards. Mission San Luis Obispo is different from all the other missions because it is one of the smallest missions. In 1820, a bell tower was added. Twelve years later it was destroyed in an earthquake and rebuilt in stone. When it was built, an assistant friar wanted it to look like a New England church. When the New Spain government took over the missions they sold the grounds for $510. Cheap huh.

Mission San Luis Obispo is over 227 years old. It now serves as a parish church and a museum and of course a place to go on a vacation or a good place to research. Today they still have fiestas today to celebrate when Father Serra founded it in 1772. It is one of the missions that survived the 1906 earthquake as did others. It is one of the least damaged in all of missions.