Mission San Juan Capistrano bell wall postcard showing the historic campanario built in 1813 in Orange County, California after the devastating earthquake destroyed the Great Stone Church. The postcard captures the stone bell tower with its arched openings housing the mission bells, surrounded by lush bougainvillea and roses in full bloom.

 - Published by H.S. Crocker Co., Inc., Anaheim, California

 - Photography by G.E.W. (G. Elton Watson)

 - Card number GWC-337, part of the "Golden West" series

Mission San Juan Capistrano was founded by Father Junípero Serra on November 1, 1776, as the seventh of California's 21 Spanish missions. 

Tragedy struck on December 8, 1812, during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, when a devastating 7.5 magnitude earthquake centered near Wrightwood collapsed the Great Stone Church and bell tower during morning mass. Forty Native American parishioners were killed in the collapse, making it one of California's most catastrophic earthquake-related tragedies. The four original bells - San Vicente, San Juan, San Antonio, and San Rafael - were damaged but survived.

In 1813, just months after the earthquake, the current bell wall or campanario was erected to house the surviving bells. This stone structure, shown in the postcard, became one of the mission's most distinctive and photographed features. 

The mission's guest books from 1913-1934 reveal an impressive roster of notable visitors, including gangster Al Capone and future President Richard Nixon. These connections reflect the mission's enduring appeal as both a spiritual destination and cultural landmark.

Posted on April 12, 1972.

The message reads: "Dear Ones All, Frank, JoAnn, + I came here yesterday. Its a beautiful place. We had a very [illegible] time. Looked all around & had a good [illegible] this is a nice place. I took some more pictures. Thelma's cold is better. Talked with her on the phone today. The weather is nice here now. Hope all is well & not too busy. Haven't heard from Polly yet. More. Vivian"

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