21 missions were created in what would become California by the mexican church. Mission Solano was the last and furthest north, in Sonoma.
I reported on the mission San Miguel the 16th mission established. These missions were really multi-purposed, religious, to convert the indians to catholicism, and to show a Mexican presence in both a political and military way on land claimed by Mexico.
These Missions are testament to a complex history between the United States and Mexico. While not associated with the Missions; the name Vallejo, figures prominently in this history, A general, a diplomat, a businessman. His name appears all over California today. I was completely surprised by how “American” his house; in fact how “New England.”