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well-wooded basin. Father Serra succeeded in beginning a peaceful outreach to the friendly Indians, which would continue under its two assigned padres, Father Buenaventura Sitjar and Miguel Pieras.
The growth and prosperity of this mission is due in great part to the excellent leadership of Father Sitjar who, over the period of 37 years, would transform the mission through his inventive ideas. With the construction of an aqueduct to transport water from the San Antonio River to a reservoir, the vital need for water was solved, and led to the construction of a water-powered mill, a fountain and even a bathing pool. Steady construction early on resulted in a church, numerous workshops, barracks, storerooms and adobe homes for the natives. for wrote a 400-page vocabulary of the Mutsun Indian language and grammar, which helped him translate his sermons. The mission thrived and at its peak in 1802-1805 had over 1000 Indians, bountiful crops, abundant livestock and Palomino horses. Wine-making and basket weaving became successful industries. Doroteo Ambris was the last resident priest. This is the only mission that gave the Indians a right to vote.
Secularization wreaked its ugly hand on the mission. The Indians, who had lived happily and peacefully at the mission, were driven off to the hills, forced to subsist on seed and game. The mission itself was abandoned for 46 years and deteriorated. Because of its remote location, the buildings were easily stripped of its tiles, beams and any other construction materials. Restoration began in 1903, under the leadership of Honorable Joseph R. Knowland, through the California Historic Landmarks League, which is part of the Native Sons of the Golden West.
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