[Illustration: The “Rose Window” of the San Jose Sacristy is said to be the work of one Pedro Huizar who toiled on it for five years. Legend has it that an unhappy romance caused the artist to pour his heart and soul into the design.] [Illustration: This cloister garden at San Jose no doubt abounded in native trees, flowers and shrubs just as it does today.] [Illustration: The old Mission Mill (below) has been reconstructed on its original foundations.] [Illustration: Lookouts were provided above each of the four gates entering the plaza at San Jose. Unfriendly Indians, however, seem to have seldom bothered the mission.] [Illustration: Around three sides of the plaza are reproduced the living quarters of the mission Indians.] [Illustration: MISSION SAN FRANCISCO de la ESPADA The wrought iron cross atop this mission is said to have been made on the premises by the founders.] [Illustration: _Mission San Francisco de la Espada_ was established in 1731, the main church building in a plan including many other structures, a few of which still remain. But most have long since been destroyed. One wonders why the Mission, dedicated to St. Francis, founder of the order of Franciscans, should be referred to as St. Francis of the Sword. Tradition has it that the tower was built in the form of the hilt of a sword. One’s imagination is to project the length of the blade to complete the similarity to the whole weapon.] [Illustration: A number of the original statues of the Franciscans can still be seen in the chapel of Mission Espada. These are hand carved of native wood, with movable limbs. The heads have glass eyes and separately cut teeth.] [Illustration: A fortified tower has thirty-six-inch walls. Holes for cannon muzzles were created near the base. Musket loopholes can be seen higher.] [Illustration: The Moorish entrance of Mission Espada. A wooden cross beside the door is a reminder of the efficacy of prayer.] [Illustration: Nestled in a thick grove of tall hackberry and pecan trees, stands Mission San Juan Capistrano. Founded in 1731, this Mission is less imposing than the others in the area. San Juan Capistrano followed the plan typical of the other missions, with an enclosed area containing all the buildings. Although in ruins, the original boundaries and foundations can still be seen. Unlike other missions the main buildings formed part of the rampart walls.] [Illustration: Of the chapel interior of San Juan Capistrano, the outer walls, the three wooden statues and a few odd items represent the original mission.] [Illustration: Looking through the entrance gate into “La Villita”, a restored settlement of the oldest remaining residential section of the city. It was started about 1722 shortly after the establishment of the presidio San Antonio de Bejar.]