Midterm Essay: The California Missions In 1769, a system of twenty-one missions were constructed by the Spanish government, and maintained by Franciscan Priests. These missions stretched along the coast of California. This essay will discuss the history of these missions, as well as the purpose they served, their success at the end of the mission era and how they impacted the development of early California. Additionally, I will be describing one of the missions, Mission San José, in greater detail.