Francisco Palóu

Spanish Franciscan missionary, administrator and historian

Francisco Palóu (Catalan: Francesc Palou, Balearic Catalan pronunciation: [fɾənˈsəsk pəˈlɔw]; 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.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Francisco Palóu (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born 1723, died 1789.1

About

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 20s to his death, at the age of 66.

According to biographer/translator 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 Spanish Empire exploration and occupation of the Californias.

From Wikipedia’s article on Francisco Palóu, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedCollege of San Fernando de Mexico3

Career

Occupation: historian, monk, missionary.5

Expeditionary travel and later career

In 1774, Palóu accompanied Captain Rivera's expedition to the Bay of San Francisco, and on December 4 planted the cross on a hill he named "Lobos" (wolves), which sits in clear view of the Golden Gate and Pacific Ocean. The name lives on as Lobos Creek, within the Presidio of San Francisco.

The Rivera expedition returned to the Presidio of Monterey via the coastal route first explored by the Portolà expedition of 1769. At the north end of Monterey Bay, Rivera and Palóu inspected the area around today's Santa Cruz, described by friar Juan Crespí (who accompanied Portolà) and recommended by Crespí as a future mission site. Palóu agreed, and on December 9 selected a location where Mission Santa Cruz was later founded by Fermín Lasuén, in 1791.

Palou returned to Lobos in 1776 with the De Anza expedition and, on June 28, offered up the first mass at the future site of Mission Dolores, which Palóu founded but a few weeks later. Palóu remained at the new mission until he was called to give his mentor and close friend, Junípero Serra, his last rites in 1784 at Mission San Carlos.

With Serra's death, Palóu became the acting presidente of the Upper California missions until the formal appointment of Lasuén as successor to Serra. Palou remained at Mission San Carlos until failing health and old age led him to retire in 1785 to the missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico. He was elected guardian of the college and held this office until his death in Mexico, where he had completed his biography of Serra, most of which he had written while still in California.

From Wikipedia’s article on Francisco Palóu (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • Born1723, Palma6
  • Died1789, Mexico City7
  • CitizenshipSpain8

Sources

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