It is reported that when the Portola expedition asked an Indian his name, he replied with something that sounded like Soledad. From this chance occurrence this mission became known as La Soledad, referring to the solitude of the Virgin Mary after the death of her son on the Cross.

Our Lady of Solitude

Founded on October 9, 1791, the name of this mission tells its story. Fr. Lausen dedicated this site to “Holy Mary, Our Most Sorrowful Lady of Solitude.” It was indeed a desolate place. The only mission in the Salinas Valley, it lies midway between Carmel and San Antonio. The toughest opposition to the success of Soledad came from the weather. Summers in the valley were hot and the winter nights were very cold. The friars complained of dampness and rheumatism. At least twice the church had to be rebuilt due to floods. Eventually, however, there were more than 2000 baptisms and 700 marriages at this mission. This lonely mission felt the worst of secularization beginning in 1835 with the death of Fr. Vicente Sarria from starvation. The mission buildings collapsed over the next 100 years. In 1954 a small wing and a small chapel were extensively restored.