Templo Misionero y Hacienda
Deep within the mountains, covered with des ert fl ora such as cactus, prickly pear and pita ya, an old town lies awaiting those looking for a lesson in culture and history. San Luis Gon zaga was fi rst established as a dependent mission in 1721 by father Clemente Guillén. Approximately 20 years later, in 1740, Jesuit Priest Lambert Hostell elevated the settlement’s position to an indepen dent mission. Father Johan Jakob Baegert carried on the work of these two great men by building the mission’s church. However, it was all left behind in 1768 when General José de Gálvez ordered the people of the town to move to the Santa Rosa de las Palmas Mission.
As testaments to the town’s one-time splendor, the mission’s church and a series of other architectural vestiges still stand today. Examples include the old hacienda across from the temple, old tombs, and the ruins of the military quarters, among others. These images of yesteryear strike awe and admiration in those who come to enjoy a glimpse of days gone by. The region, comprised of more than a hundred small ranches, also offers visitors the chance to take part in various eco-tourism activities among the canyons and oasis that are found here.
