Historical Marker · No. 562
La Cristianita
Camp Pendleton, San Diego County · California
Erected by California State Park Commission in cooperation with San Diego County and United States Marine Corps, July 22, 1957
The bronze counts one baptism and names one padre. There were two children and two priests. On July 22, 1769 the Portolá expedition camped at a spring here and was told of two gravely ill Acjachemen girls in the village nearby. Francisco Gómez baptized the first as she clung to her mother, and named her María Magdalena. Juan Crespí, the expedition's diarist, baptized the second, badly burned and also dying, and named her Margarita. The soldiers called the place Los Cristianitos. What became of either girl is not recorded.
What the plaque says
La Cristianita Near this spring, the first Christian baptism in Alta California was performed by Padre Francisco Gómez, a member of the Portolá expedition in 1769. Registered Historical Landmark No. 562 Plaque placed by California State Park Commission in cooperation with San Diego County and United States Marine Corps, July 22, 1957.
Where it stands
33.43331, -117.56894 · Directions
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