Why is Santa Clara located in Santa Clara University?

Answer 1

The Mission Santa Clara de Asís is located on the campus of Santa Clara University. The current location is actually the fifth location of the historic mission which has had a long history of destruction and rebuilding.

The first location of the mission was located along the banks of the Guadalupe River and was built in 1777. A flood in 1779 destroyed the first mission and a second, temporary church was built up on higher grounds. In May of 1784 a third church was built farther away from the river and potential flooded and close to its present day location. The third mission was unfortunately destroyed by an earthquake in 1818 and a fourth temporary church was built nearby. The fifth and final location was selected in in 1822 and dedicated in 1825. The first church on the final site was destroyed by a fire on October 26, 1926. The sixth and current Mission building was dedicated on May 13, 1928.

Santa Clara University has evolved around the Mission site, originating as Santa Clara College in 1851 and is considered California's oldest college.