On this site, on July 4, 1823, Padre Altimira, Lt. Castro, and 19 armed men erected a cross, set a camp altar, consecrated the ground with a mass, and fired a volley. Cline Ranch was then used as a preliminary scouting site and departure point for Northern California exploration. Coast Miwoks would later build a permanent mission in Sonoma. Bricks used in the nearby shrine are from Sonoma Mission, the 21st and last of the California Missions.