Secrets of Mission San Luis Rey Part 1 with Art Historian Helena Hazleton

In this episode, I interview art historian Helena Hazleton, Director of the Museum at Mission San Luis Rey de Francia in Oceanside, California. In this captivating conversation, Helena shares her expertise on one of the largest and most productive California missions.

Main topics of Part 1:
- The unique history and founding of Mission San Luis Rey in 1798
- How the mission survived the devastating 1812 earthquake
- The story of Father Antonio Peyri and his influence on the mission's success
- The remarkable tale of Pablo Tac, a young Luiseño who wrote a grammar of his native language
- The mission's decline during Mexican rule and its abandonment
- Abraham Lincoln's role in returning the mission lands to the Catholic Church

Helena provides fascinating insights into the mission's architecture, its relationship with local indigenous peoples, and its place in California history. This interview offers a wealth of knowledge about one of the state's most important historical sites.

For more information:

Mission San Luis Rey de Francia