Founded on the date of December 14th, 1817, the Mission San Rafael Archangel is one of the oldest hospitals around. This unique establishment was originally used to treat ill Indians, and is recognized as being the first sanitarium of Alta California. A particularly interesting fact about the location of this hospital is that the regional weather is ideal for helping the sick get better.
Originally, the Mission San Rafael Archangel was never intended to be a full mission, but nevertheless it grew considerably and was granted the status of full mission on October 19th of 1822.
The history of the place is considerably unique given what it went through over the course of the past couple of centuries. The mission was abandoned in 1844 and was sold for several thousand dollars two years later. At this time, it was used primarily as a headquarters for the Bear Flag Revolt that played a key factor in the United States possession of California. It suffered heavy damages over time, and eventually the only thing left standing of the original mission was one simple pear tree. Because of this, the mission gained the recognition of being known as California's most obliterated mission.
Today, the mission is a valuable historical site of interest. Mission San Rafael Archangel is open to visitors and includes a museum and a gift shop for travelers looking to experience an element of this state's great legacy. You can enjoy going to Mission San Rafael Archangel and seeing a small piece of what helped shaped the modern state of California.
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