Mission San Rafael Arcángel: Built of Handmade Adobe Bricks

Mission San Rafael (founded 1817, Alta California's 20th mission) was constructed from adobe bricks made on-site using local clay, straw, and water—hand-molded and sun-dried.

Like other California missions, its thick adobe walls provided insulation against summer heat and winter chill. The original structure was later replaced; the current chapel (1949) replicates the adobe style.