Mission Revival

Mission Revival holds a special place in California’s cultural identity, symbolizing both the romanticized legacy of Spanish colonialism and the region’s unique architectural heritage. The style is celebrated in art, literature, and tourism, and many of its buildings are preserved as historic landmarks. Its influence extends into popular culture, where it is often associated with the idyllic landscapes and history of the American West.

• Mission Revival was popularized nationwide after the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago.
• Many Southern Pacific Railroad stations adopted Mission Revival designs, making train travel in California visually distinctive.
• The style’s signature curved gables, or espadañas, directly reference the facades of original Spanish missions.
• Mission Revival is often confused with Spanish Colonial Revival, but is typically simpler and more restrained.
• Numerous Mission Revival buildings are listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.

Mission Revival flourished from approximately 1890 to 1920, with continued influence into the mid-20th century. It originated in California and the broader US Southwest, and remains most prevalent in these regions, though examples can be found throughout the United States.

• White or light-colored stucco walls
• Red clay tile roofs with broad, overhanging eaves
• Arched openings and arcaded walkways
• Bell towers (campanarios) and curved gables (espadañas)
• Deep-set windows, parapets, and ornamental ironwork
• Courtyards and gardens integrated into the site

Mission Revival buildings typically use stucco for exterior walls, red clay tiles for roofing, and wood and wrought iron for structural and decorative elements. Masonry and timber framing are common, with adaptations for modern structural stability. Decorative tilework and exposed beams add visual interest, while adobe is occasionally used in regional variants.

• The Mission Inn, Riverside, California
• Santa Barbara County Courthouse, Santa Barbara, California
• Union Station, Los Angeles, California (hybrid with Spanish Colonial Revival)
• San Gabriel Mission Playhouse, San Gabriel, California
• Southern Pacific Railroad stations (e.g., Glendale, California)

• Arthur Page Brown – Pioneer of Mission Revival, designer of the California Building at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition
• Bertram Goodhue – Later works in Spanish Colonial and Mission Revival
• John Galen Howard – Institutional Mission Revival designs

Mission Revival draws direct inspiration from Spanish Colonial architecture, particularly the Franciscan missions of California. It also incorporates elements from Mexican and Mediterranean vernacular traditions. Related styles include Spanish Colonial Revival (more ornate and eclectic), Pueblo Revival (regional adaptation with indigenous influences), and Mediterranean Revival (sharing materials and motifs). Union Station in Los Angeles exemplifies hybridization between Mission Revival and Spanish Colonial Revival.

While Mission Revival is most closely associated with California, it has been adapted throughout the US Southwest, especially in Arizona and New Mexico. Regional variants include Spanish Colonial Revival, which is more decorative and widespread, and Pueblo Revival, which incorporates indigenous forms and materials. These styles often overlap, reflecting local traditions and climatic needs.

Many Mission Revival buildings are protected as historic landmarks, with listings on the US National Register of Historic Places and local or state registers. The style is recognized by the Getty Art & Architecture Thesaurus and is celebrated for its contribution to regional identity and architectural heritage. Although no Mission Revival buildings are directly listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, the original California missions that inspired the style are recognized for their historical significance, and ongoing preservation efforts ensure the style’s legacy endures.