$ 20.95

Book Details

Old Missions of the Californias

Following the success of their 2012 book, The Old Missions of Baja & Alta California, 1697-1834, Max Kurillo and David Kier have produced a revised and expanded edition in 2020, titled Old Missions of the Californias. All 48 of the California missions are detailed in the order of their founding and not based on a border that didn’t exist when the missions were built. Maps and photos from past and present provide a look at the missions from yesterday and today. Also Included are chapters on the founding Catholic Orders, on the mission road, El Camino Real, and a complete reference list of additional mission history sources. This comprehensive yet compact work belongs in your glovebox, backpack, and home library to enrich your travel and mission history experiences.

Old Missions of the Californias” is a compelling new look at the mission system that settled California…This book is well researched, detailed and offers a wealth of historical information in easy-to-grasp segments.

-Greg Niemann, Author

A concise account of the story of the California missions which takes the reader back to a challenging frontier without borders and clarifies the interlocking history of the missions of Baja California and Alta California.

-Graham Mackintosh, Adventurist, Author

About the Authors

David Kier

David Kier

David Kier’s fascination with the peninsula of Baja California began during his first childhood trip there during 1960s. Direct contact with the historic sites such as the missions and El Camino Real inspired him to learn more about what happened in this rugged land so many years ago. Kier’s studies inspired him to write a series of detailed mission articles that led to the natural course of combining them into a single source of reference for those who are interested in the colorful past of the peninsula of California.

Max Kurillo

Max Kurillo has been researching, writing, and lecturing about the California missions for many decades and has published several books, articles, and booklets about the missions. He worked with and appeared with Huell Howser on the California Gold production of “The Bells of El Camino Real,” and appeared on KECT (Los Angeles) and KPBS (San Diego) with Howser discussing the mission bells. Kurillo has visited all the 48 missions in Baja and Alta California. He won the Native Daughters of the Gold West “California Image Award” for his work documenting El Camino Real. He has published in the Ventura County Historical Society Quarterly, Pacific Coast Archaeological Society Quarterly, the American Bell Association’s Bell Tower, and the California Missions Foundation’s Boletín. California State Parks featured a panel display entitled “California Historic Corridor” based on his work and photographs. Kurillo lives in the San Diego area.