In Search of the San Juan Bautista Mission Escolta
Mission San Juan Bautista, in California's Coast Range between Missions Soledad and Santa Clara, was founded over 200 years ago on June 14, 1797. Although the Church and Convento of the old mission is owned by the Catholic Church and still in operation as an active parish, portions of the outlying areas around the mission are owned and operated by the California Department of Parks and Recreation.
Renee Cannon received her M.A. degree from Hayward State University in 2005. The title of her new thesis is "Beneath the Plaza Hotel: In Search of the San Juan Bautista Mission Escolta." The thesis sheds light on a little studied aspect of the California missions, the "escolta" or mission guard unit that would be assigned to each mission to help the priests keep control of the Indians. Renee's work will set the standard for this area of study.
Pictured is Renee Cannon and Cultural Resources Division Chief Walter Gray accepting her Master's thesis completed on the archaeological collection at San Juan Bautista Mission.
Ornate Glass Trade Bead
Gunflint for a flintlock rifle or pistol