San Diego History Quiz

Question:
What mission in San Diego County has a free-standing campanario or bell tower?

Answer:
Mission San Antonio de Pala. This asistencia, or sub-mission, was founded in 1816 by Father Antonio Peyri at the foot of Palomar Mountain. Pala is an Indian word meaning "water" or "place of water." This is a fitting name for the mission, since it is near the San Luis Rey River. The unique campanario, detached from the main building, is a replica of one in Juarez, Mexico.

Pala Mission was destroyed in the 1916 flood, but was rebuilt that same year using the original adobe. The mission itself has been restored over the years, and includes a museum, murals by the Indians, and much of the original landscaping. It still serves as a mission to the local Indians.

The Pala Mission is designated San Diego County Historical Landmark #243

History Quiz questions and answers are from San Diego Trivia and San Diego Trivia 2 by Evelyn L. Kooperman, a native San Diegan and reference librarian at the San Diego Public Library.

More on the Pala Mission