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Oceanside's first inhabitants were the Luiseno Indians who were part of the large Shoshonean tribe. They inhabited the San Luis
Rey river valley area, originally named, "Rio San Luis Rey de Francia," after St. Louis King of France by the Franciscan friars
who passed through the valley in 1769. The Mission San Luis Rey de Francia was established in 1798, four miles up river from
the coast. The Indians who were gathered at the Mission were called "San Luisenos" by the Franciscans, later shortened to
"Luisenos". The Luisenos were hunters and food gatherers until the friars taught them farming and other trades. The Indians
were instrumental in building the Mission compound as they provided the labor. The Indians soon adopted the Spanish language
and customs.
Among these padres was Father Antonio Peyri who planned and oversaw the construction of the Mission's many buildings which
included three churches, the last of which still stands and was finished in 0ctober of 1815. Mission San Luis Rey was the
largest building in California when completed and was the most prosperous of the missions.
In 1834, formal secularization took place. All the Mission properties were confiscated by Pio Pico, governor of California,
and sold for $2,437.50. During this period, the Mission buildings fell into disrepair. In 1893, Father Joseph Jeremiah 0'Keefe
arrived to restore the Mission. By 1912, when he retired, restoration in great part was complete, but, still continues today.
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