Discover the Missions of San Francisco Bay

Feb. 12, 2014 - PRLog -- In the next installment in his missions of California series, author Robert A. Bellezza looks at the unique missions of San Francisco Bay.  This new pictorial history in Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series is titled Missions of San Francisco Bay and is set to release on February 17, 2014.  The book features the history of missions by displaying more than 200 vintage images.

In his new book, Bellezza provides a comprehensive history of the discovery and settlement of Northern California. The timeline parallels the early presence of the Church, Franciscan monks and Spanish settlers. Using rarely seen before images, the book covers the 200 year old history of California and the first settlements in San Francisco, Santa Clara and San Jose. The book also includes historical information and anecdotal captions to share the formation of the area, including stories on the conflict concerning Mexico’s hold on northern territories, skirmishes and the final treaty resolving the entry of California as the 31^st state in the union.

California’s landmark buildings are featured, with newly discovered photography depicting a romantic era of colorful Spanish conquistadors, Franciscan padres and mission Indian neophytes from 1769 to 1823. Explore the heritage of California pioneers’ first communities and the 21 California Spanish missions of adobe, stone and tile that are considered architectural wonders that have captured the imagination of visitors and historians over centuries. Images of America: Missions of San Francisco Bay allows readers to glimpse scenes of the past and marvel at the architecture of the missions, while preserving the history for future generations.

Available at area bookstores, independent retailers, and online retailers, or through Arcadia Publishing at (888)-313-2665 or online.

Arcadia Publishing is the leading publisher of local and regional history in the United States.  Our mission is to make history accessible and meaningful through the publication of books on the heritage of America’s people and places.  Have we done a book on your town?  Visit www.arcadiapublishing.com/.