Historical Memoirs of New California: A First-Hand Account of the Founding of the Mission System in California

by Francisco Palóu

Father Palou came to California with Junipero Serra, followed him as he established the mission system, and then succeeded Serra as president of the missions. Palou wrote his memoir over a ten-year span while at Mission Carmel and Mission Dolores, finishing it in 1783. Highly readable and utterly fascinating, it is a detailed, rich story of the founding of "Alta" California and the most substantial eyewitness account of life in mission times by one of the most influential men of the time. 384

384 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2004

About the author

Francesc Palou (in Catalan) or Francisco Palóu (1723–1789) was a Spanish Franciscan missionary, administrator and historian on the Baja California Peninsula and in Alta California. Palóu made significant contributions to the Alta California and Baja California mission systems. Along with his mentor, Junípero Serra, Palóu worked to build numerous missions throughout Alta and Baja California, many structures of which still stand today. A member of the Franciscan Order, Palóu became "Presidente" of the missions in Baja California, and later of missions of Alta California. Palóu's work in the Spanish mission system spans from his early twenties to his death at the age of 66.

According to biographer Herbert E. Bolton, "Fray Palóu was a diligent student, devout Christian, loyal disciple, tireless traveler, zealous missionary, firm defender of the faith, resourceful pioneer, successful mission builder, able administrator, and fair minded historian of California". Palóu is particularly noted for his pious biography of Serra and for his multi-volume early history of the Californias.