The History Behind the Capistrano Name
Founded in Laguna Beach, California and gaining its name from the local mission, San Juan Capistrano where the swallows arrive every spring.
San Juan Capistrano was known as the "Jewel of the Missions," and was founded November 1, 1776, by Father Junipero Serra. It was a establishment with many workshops, loom rooms, tallow vats, etc. It is the most important stone church of the whole chain of Missions founded by Serra. In 1819, there were over 31,000 animals, cattle, sheep, horses, mules, goats and pigs on the livestock rolls, owned by the Mission, and in 1812, the year of the disastrous earthquake, there were 1361 Indian "neophytes" under the care of the padres.
The miracle of the "Swallows" of Capistrano takes place each year at the Mission San Juan Capistano, on March 19th, St. Joseph's Day. As the little birds wing their way back to the most famous Mission in California, the village of San Juan Capistrano takes on a fiesta air and the visitors from all parts of the world, and all walks of life, gather in great numbers to witness the "miracle" of the return of the swallows. Each year the "Scout Swallows" precede the main flock by a few days and it seems to be their chief duty to clear the way for the main flock to arrive at the "Old Mission" of Capistrano.
With the arrival of early dawn on St. Joseph's Day, the little birds begin to arrive and begin rebuilding their mud nests, which are clinging to the ruins of the old stone church of San Juan Capistrano. The arches of the two story, high vaulted Chapel were left bare and exposed, as the roof collapsed during the earthquake of 1812.
This Chapel, said to be the largest and most ornate in any of the missions, now has a more humble destiny--that of housing the birds that St. Francis loved so well.
After the summer spent within the sheltered walls of the Old Mission in San Juan Capistrano, the swallows take flight again, and on the Day of San Juan, October 23, they leave after circling the Mission bidding farewell to the "JEWEL OF ALL MISSIONS" San Juan Capistrano, California.
