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In 1769, the Portola Expedition visited the area north of Monterey. They gave it the name Santa Cruz, meaning Sacred Cross. In 1774, a Father Palou traveled along the coast north of Santa Cruz and chose a site at the northern end of the Monterey Bay. He found a river flowing into the ocean and concluded that the area would support a large, successful mission. On August 28, 1791, Father Lasuen raised a cross where Santa Cruz Mission was to be founded. On September 25, 1791, it was formally founded. Father Lasuen was not present at the Santa Cruz Mission dedication, and Fathers Salazar and Lopez conducted the founding celebration. However, the Franciscan Fathers from Santa Clara and the commandante of the San Francisco Presidio were there.

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16y ago

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