Architect and engineer . NGINEER 75 But could the Padres today behold the Mission of San Luis Obispo de Tolosathey would most assuredly show no recognition of their own handiworkDecay and irreverent meddling have introduced change upon change, until nowthe structure stands stripped of every vestige of the romantic glamor associatedwith the period of the Spanish occupation. It is as forbidding spiritually, aspoverty-stricken m aesthetic and emotional content, as the proverbial NewEngland meeting house. It is the finished work of indifference collaboratingwith Ignorance. A long series of transfo
Architect and engineer . NGINEER 75 But could the Padres today behold the Mission of San Luis Obispo de Tolosathey would most assuredly show no recognition of their own handiworkDecay and irreverent meddling have introduced change upon change, until nowthe structure stands stripped of every vestige of the romantic glamor associatedwith the period of the Spanish occupation. It is as forbidding spiritually, aspoverty-stricken m aesthetic and emotional content, as the proverbial NewEngland meeting house. It is the finished work of indifference collaboratingwith Ignorance. A long series of transformations is revealed by successivedocuments; although I have had no opportunity to ascertain their exact dates,or even their precise order. Most obvious, but probably of least real importance,IS the breaking up of the quadrangle. Reference to the plan will show thatthe line of buildings forming the south side of the enclosure has entirely dis-appeared, and that of the rear or west wing there remains but a small length of. SAN LUIS OBISPO MISSIOiN—AFTER GRADING OF STREET, RECONSTRUCTION OF WALL TO CHURCH FORECOURT, AND REMOVAL OF TILES FROM BELFRY (From a photograph.) some forty feet lately used as a barn or stable. The front wall of this frag-ment is a rubble of golden stone, red tile, and gray mortar, beautiful in colorand texture. These missing wings probably contained the living quarters of•the Indians, the domestic services of the Mission, and certain of its industrialestablishments. There is small liklihood that they embodied anything of morethan ordinary architectural value; and their loss is of little practical conse-quence, since the remaining wings offer more than adequate space for theactivities of the present parish church. It is probable that their passing wasa slow disintegration covering a long period of neglect. Of more importanceis the treatment which has been accorded the two wings which remain, andwhich from the beginning embraced the features constituting
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