Founded in 1798, by Padre Fermín Francisco de Lasuén, successor to Padre Junipero Serra, Mission San Luis Rey was named after St. Louis IX, King of France, who lived during the 13th century. The history of the San Luis Rey area reflects five periods of occupation: Luiseño Indian, Spanish Mission, Mexican Secularization, American Military, and Twentieth Century Restoration.

Prior to Spanish occupation, the Luiseño people inhabited this area for hundreds of years. Their villages were located in valleys, along streams, by the coast, and near the mountains.

Luiseño homes (Kiichas) were dome-shaped and constructed of tulles over a branch frame. It was the chief and shaman who saw to it that laws were obeyed in the village. The women gathered most of the plants and food, while the men usually hunted for animals and fish. The Luiseños made tools, such as pestles for grinding and pounding, out of stone. They created baskets from grasses and natural fibers and used them for gathering and preparing food.

The establishment of the mission system in Alta California was not authorized until the threat of Russian encroachment into the area. In its long history of colonization, Spain had learned that land could be claimed inexpensively by establishing a mission and sending dedicated padres, a handful of soldiers, and a few supplies.

With a shortage of Spaniards in the New World, Spain decided to colonize with the indigenous people. The Franciscans were chosen not only to preach to the Indians but to teach them new skills so they could become productive citizens of Spain. Father Antonio Peyri was put in charge of Mission San Luis Rey, from the day of its founding on June 13, 1798, until his departure in January 1832. Between these years the Mission became home to approximately 3,000 Indians. In their name and as a result of their labor, the Mission cared for over 50,000 head of livestock. Large sections of the Mission’s lands were brought under cultivation. Grapes, oranges, olives, wheat, and corn were some of the crops produced. Fields were irrigated by water channeled from the river just north of the Mission. The Mission was self-sustaining; its buildings were constructed of local materials, such as adobe, fired clay bricks, and wooden timbers. By 1830, the Mission was the largest building in California.

After Mexico won its independence from Spain in 1821, the law of secularization was passed. The idea behind the law was a simple one; each mission was given a ten-year period to fulfill their function of instructing the Indians.

After this time the missions were to be replaced by another colonial institution, the pueblo. This last step was long overdue in Alta California. The law came to the Mission in 1833. The law stated that the land was to be handed over to the Indians. However, Mission San Luis Rey came under the control of various secular administrators, several of whom managed to gain title to large portions of former mission land and thousands of cattle and sheep, leaving nothing to the Luiseños.

From 1847-1857 the Mission was used as an operational base by U.S. soldiers. Notable figures who served at the Mission include General Stephen W. Kearny, Kit Carson, and the Battalion of Mormon Volunteers, who served at the Mission for a period of six weeks.

Some of the troops stationed at the Mission were ordered to take charge and prevent any depredations upon it. Other troops assisted local ranchers in dismantling rooms and provided building materials for their homes. In 1850 California became part of the United States, and the Catholic Bishop in California petitioned the U.S. government for the return of the missions. In 1865, Mission San Luis Rey was returned to the Catholic Church by Abraham Lincoln. However, after the military vacated the mission, it lay abandoned until 1892.

In 1892, a group of Franciscans from Zacatecas, Mexico sought refuge in California and asked the Bishop for a site to move their novitiate. They were assigned to San Luis Rey under the guidance of Fr. Joseph Jeremiah O’Keefe. Fr. O’Keefe has been referred to as the "Rebuilder of the Mission."

From 1892-1912, Fr. O’Keefe repaired the church and rebuilt the permanent living quarters on the foundation of the old mission (where the museum sits today). Restoration has continued throughout the years since Fr. O’Keefe’s death. Included in this ongoing restoration has been the partial rebuilding of the quadrangle in 1949 for a Franciscan college which serves today as a Retreat Center. During the 1950s and 60s, the Friars uncovered the Soldiers' Barracks and the Lavanderia from layers of dirt accumulated over the years. In 1984, a restoration effort to stabilize and preserve the exterior of the church building was completed. Conservation of paintings and sculptures in the museum collection is an ongoing process, and archaeological investigations continue to unearth the past.

Not to be missed are: the Historic Mission Church, standing since 1815, with its unique Spanish and Native decorative designs; the Lavanderia, an intricate water system where Indian neophytes washed their clothes; the brick kiln where the adobe bricks were fired; ruins of the Soldiers' Barracks rising from the original stone foundation; the Indian monument featured in the oldest Cemetery in North County; and Mission Quadrangle where the oldest Pepper Tree in California is planted in 1830 and still survives today. Learn more on our Mission Museum page under Mission History.

What did Disney replace at the Mission?

In the 1950s, Walt Disney Studio replaced the cemetery gates for the filming of several television episodes of "Zorro" at San Luis Rey.

How many bells are there in the bell tower of the Historic Church?

Originally there were eight bells; now there are four.

Which Native Americans lived in the area of the Mission?

They were called “Luiseños” by the Spanish because they were associated with San Luis Rey. They were known as Payomkawichum, or “People of the West.” They referred to themselves as Ata’axam or “the People.”

Where did they get the timber to build the mission church roof and dome?

The logs came down from Mt. Palomar via the river and ox carts.

Why is the Mission named after a French king, Louis IX?

San Luis Rey (Spanish), or Saint Louis the King, was taught by the early Franciscans and is the patron of their 3rd order. He also was of Spanish blood on his mother’s side and died fighting in the Crusades. He was canonized in 1297.

How much land did the Mission have? How much land does it have today?

Mission lands ran 11 leagues north to south and 15 leagues east to west, approximately 950,400 acres. Today, the Mission is on 56 acres.

Why wasn’t the Mission built closer to the coast?

The site was chosen for the fertile valley and good source of fresh water for farming and raising livestock.

What does OFM mean?

OFM, Order of Friars Minor, is the designation of the Franciscan religious community that founded the missions and still live at Mission San Luis Rey today.

What was “secularization?”

When Mexico took over the missions in California it took away the authority of the padres, eventually disbanding the missions and selling off their lands.

Why are there three knots on the cord of the Franciscan habit?

The three knots represent the vows of their religious order – poverty, chastity and obedience.

What is the Pala Mission?

San Antonio de Pala was an assistancia, or sub-station to Mission San Luis Rey, serving the native population at the Pala ranch 24 miles away. It began as a granary in 1810 and soon included a chapel dedicated to St. Anthony. It is part of the San Diego Diocese and is the only mission to have remained in continuous service to the native people. San Antonio de Pala is open to visitors daily.

What was the lavanderia?

The lavanderia, or “laundry” was where mission residents bathed and washed their clothes. Water was channeled from the San Luis Rey River behind the Mission through aqueducts into a series of tile and stone pools.