History repeats itself at San Gabriel Mission

By SHEL SEGAL
As thousands came out this past weekend to celebrate the 242nd birthday of the San Gabriel Mission at the annual Labor Day Fiesta, many others came out to the mission to say “Happy Birthday” to the city of Los Angeles.
As the City of Angels just celebrated its 232nd birthday this past week, the mission hosted a walk and cycling event along the same route the early Spanish missionaries would have taken from San Gabriel to downtown Los Angeles.
Fr. Bruce Wellems said doing the walk is a very special act in remembering the area’s history.
“We’re doing a heritage walk,” Wellems said. “We’re remembering the walk of the publidores 232 years ago with the founding of Los Angeles. They walked nine miles from San Gabriel Mission to the pueblo (in Los Angeles).”
Fr. Tony Diaz said the route that is being taken is also very special.
“That’s the path the publidores took from San Gabriel Mission to found the city of Los Angeles,” Diaz said. “After the walk we’re having begins, we’re going to include a cycling event for the first time.”
He added the path is part of a bigger system that was in place in California during the days of the Spanish.
“The path is connected to the Camino Real, which connected all the missions in California,” Diaz said.
The walk started from the mission along Mission Road to Alhambra Avenue, then turned onto Valley Boulevard, past Lincoln Park to Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard, past Union Station and onto Alameda Street, eventually ending at El Pueblo Historical Monument.
In addition, many came to the mission for the fiesta and enjoyed themselves on rides, hearing music of all types and eating all different kinds of food, including Mexican, American and Chinese.
(Shel Segal can be reached at ssegal@beaconmedianews.com).

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