For the Spanish, their occupation of the tip of the San Francisco Peninsula was of
crucial importance. Guarding the Golden Gate meant the presidio had to be gar-
risoned. The presence of the soldiers necessitated the existence of a mission to feed
and provide other essentials for the troops. However, the Mission San Francisco de
Asís had challenges. The sun never seemed to shine, the soil was sandy, stands of trees
for lumber were scarce and worst of all, a good supply of fresh water was lacking. By
1786, the padres had reached the decision to create an agricultural outpost down the
peninsula. They chose the site of the aAramai village of Pruristac within the San Pedro
Valley on the coast, just to the southwest of the “Discovery Site” at Sweeney Ridge (the
site of the outpost is situated at San Mateo County’s Sanchez Adobe Historic Park).
Here was the first place south of the mission that a creek produced fresh water all year
round. Until 1792, this assistance farm served the San Franciscans well, providing
them food that allowed the mission to survive. After the first agricultural outpost was
established, a second outpost, this one at San Mateo, became the Franciscan’s most
important resources provider.,( The cattle and sheep that roamed what became San
Mateo County and the crops grown at the outposts were crucial to the success of Mis-
sion San Francisco de Asís into the new Mexican period of California History