Mission La Purísima Concepción (Site of)

This is a state plaque that names the cause. Placed in 1982 with the Quechan Tribal Council, the Catholic Diocese and the Clampers together, it says colonists ignored Indian rights, took the best land and destroyed Quechan crops, and that the mission was destroyed because of it. Most bronzes of that era would have written a massacre and stopped. Francisco Garcés founded Concepción here in October 1780 in Quechan homeland; it lasted nine months. The bronze casts colonists as Colinists.

What the plaque says

Site of Mission La Purisima Concepcion, 1780-81 In October 1780, Father Francisco Garces and companions began Mission La Purisima Concepcion. The mission/pueblo site was inadequately supported. Colinists ignored Indian rights, usurped the best lands and destroyed Indian crops. Completely frustrated and disappointed, the Quechans (Yumas) and their allies destroyed Concepcion on July 17-19, 1781. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 350 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Quechan Tribal Council, the Catholic Diocese of San Diego, Imperial Valley Pioneers, and Squibob Chapter E Clampus Vitus, October 9, 1982.

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Fort Yuma — steps away
• Hernando de Alarcón Expedition — 5.9 mi
• Charley's World of Lost Art — 6.5 mi
• Desert Training Center, California-Arizona Maneuver Area - Camp Pilot Knob — 8.2 mi