Mission: Improbable! Unveiling the Mystery of San Francisco de As�s (or, That Time We Almost Named Our City After Sorrows)
Ah, San Francisco. City of fog, cable cars, and enough sourdough bread to fuel a small nation. But did you know the name could have been something entirely different? Buckle up, history buffs (and lovers of whimsy), because we're diving into the peculiar past of San Francisco de As�s, also known as... Mission Dolores?
 |
| What is San Francisco De Asis |
A Mission with Two Names: A Tale of Saints and Creeks
San Francisco de As�s, founded in 1776 (yes, the same year the American colonies were like, "peace out, dudes"), was named after Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of Italy and all things chill. This Franciscan friar was known for his love of poverty, animals, and, well, not being a party animal.
But here's the twist: the mission also got nicknamed "Mission Dolores" after a nearby creek with the delightfully melancholic name "Arroyo de Nuestra Se�ora de los Dolores" (Creek of Our Lady of Sorrows). Talk about a bummer of a waterway! So, you have this mission named after a saint known for joy and simplicity, sitting next to a creek named after sorrow. San Francisco, you were giving mixed signals from the get-go.
Tip: Reflect on what you just read.
So, why did the nickname stick? Nobody really knows for sure. Maybe it was easier to say "Dolores" than the whole tongue twister of San Francisco de As�s. Maybe people just liked the idea of their mission being next to a creek of sorrows (very goth, very 18th century).
Dolores or As�s: The Great Name Debate (that never really happened)
Did San Francisco almost become Mission Dolores? Not exactly. While the nickname stuck, San Francisco de As�s remained the official name. Imagine if we had fortune cookies that said "You will find great sourdough in the City of Sorrows!" Just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?
Tip: Don’t just glance — focus.
Wait, is the mission still there? You betcha! Mission Dolores Basilica, with its iconic red-tiled roof, is the oldest intact building in San Francisco. So, you can step back in time and experience a slice of life from the city's Spanish colonial past (minus the creek of sorrows, hopefully).
 |
How To: San Francisco de As�s Edition (Frequently Asked Questions, with a Wink)
How to pronounce San Francisco de As�s? If you can master this, you're basically a Californian royalty: San Fran-SIS-co de Ah-SEE-sis.
QuickTip: Look for repeated words — they signal importance.
How to visit Mission Dolores? Head to 16th and Dolores Street in San Francisco. They're open daily and admission is free (though donations are always appreciated).
How to avoid accidentally living near a creek of sorrows? Move to San Francisco for the sunshine and sourdough, not the melancholic waterways.
QuickTip: Re-reading helps retention.
How to impress your friends with your San Francisco knowledge? Drop the fact that the city was almost named Mission Dolores. Bonus points for pronouncing San Francisco de As�s flawlessly.
How to have the best time in San Francisco? Grab a cable car ride, devour some sourdough, and explore the Golden Gate Bridge. Just avoid swimming in the creeks, okay? You never know what kind of sorrows might be lurking down there.
 |
