Plaster and the California Missions Practicing traditional construction and restoration by Nick Brown, CEPE Photo courtesy Merlex AS THE MOST VIEWABLE BUILDINGS OF THEIR ERA STILL STANDING, THE CALIFORNIA MISSIONS ARE NOT ONLY STATE HISTORY MADE CORPOREAL, BUT ALSO ONE OF THE MAJOR REASONS STUCCO IS SO COMMON IN THE SOUTHWEST. north of San Francisco, the network of Spanish Missions did more to create the stucco industry than any other factor. The Missions all started humbly, as these were frontier outposts. They worked with what was available—adobe, ladrillo bricks, and stone: These 21 sites are rooted in Spanish, Moorish, and Mexican traditions, but many argue they represent a unique architectural style all their own. Plaster products were widely used in the Missions, and provide the stucco industry with its most relevant historical reference point. From the first Mission in San Diego in 1769 to the final one begun in 1823 The first temporary quarters, hastily built, were little better than brush huts with grass-thatched roofs… The second structure at most of the missions was of adobe… As soon, however, as a mission was strong and prosperous, the pride of the padre usually extended to an ambition to build a church in more lasting material, hence stone or burned brick were employed. 1 48 the construction specifier | january 2013 CS_Jan2013.indd 48 12/12/12 9:34:39 AM