Repair to this historic, adobe San Miguel Mission started after the devastating 2003 San Simeon Earthquake. There was extensive damage to the old building, closing much of the Mission to the public for six years. Through the combined efforts and the generous contributions of the Diocese of Monterey, along with grants and gifts, the repair was completed.
Mission San Miguel Arcangel was founded in 1797 by Father Fermin Lasuen, Presidente of the California Mission Chain. It is named for Saint Michael the Arcangel and is the 16th mission founded in the 21 mission chain in California. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and was designated a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service, US Department of the Interior in 2006.
To maintain the historic character of the Mission, new adobe bricks had to be manufactured to replace bricks damaged beyond repair by the earthquake. Earth Systems provided testing of the authentic adobe bricks to determine their physical properties to allow for matching of the new bricks with the originals. When the new bricks were manufactured, the Earth Systems Team conducted compressive strength testing and measurements of deformation under load. This information was used in the development of an appropriate program for seismic strengthening of the historic structure. During the retrofit of the San Miguel Mission, Earth Systems provided materials testing and inspection services. Seismic retrofitting of other buildings within the Mission compound has continued and Earth Systems recently completed coring and testing for concrete that had been used as part of the structural frame of the priests’ living quarters.