San Antonio Missions National Park Service National Historical Park U.S. Department of the Interior San Antonio Missions Texas

The chain of missions established along the spreading the Catholic faith—the basis of other Franciscan missions in New Spain, the River valley in 1731. These five missions, a secularized—the lands were redistributed San Antonio River in the 1700s is a reminder Spanish­ colonial society—among the frontier friars transferred a failed mission on the Rio presidio (fort), and settlement were the seeds among the inhab­ i­ tants,­­­ and the churches of one of Spain’s most successful attempts Indians. Financed by the Crown, Franciscan Grande to the San Antonio River in 1718. It for one of the most successful Spanish com- were transferred to the secular clergy. to extend its dominion northward from New missions served both Church and State. As an was renamed mission San Antonio de Valero, munities in Texas. These missions flourished Spain (present-day Mexico). Collectively they arm of the church, the mission was the van- later called the Alamo. between 1747 and 1775, despite periodic raids The Spanish missions helped form the foun- form the largest concentration of Catholic guard for converting the Indians spiritually. As by Apache and Com­­ anche­ Indians. Military dation for the city of San Antonio. Modern missions in North America. an agent of the state, the mission helped push Water, timber, and wildlife in this rich valley support was never adequate,­ so the Spanish San Antonio early recognized the missions’ the empire northward. Missions also offered had long attracted Spanish explorers. Noting­ trained the Christianized mission Indians to significance, and since the 1920s the city Tales of riches spurred the early Spanish ex­ Indians sanctuary from their enemies. the many Coahuiltecan (kwa-weel-teken) defend their communities. has worked to preserve them. Today these plor­ers northward across the Rio Grande. By Indians­ nearby, Fray Antonio Margil de Jesús missions represent a nearly unbroken con- the 1600s Spaniards penetrated areas to the Threatened by French encroachments from established­ a second mission, San José, in After 70 years there was less need for the nection with the past. Carrying the legacy east, encountering the Tejas Indians for whom Louisiana,­­ Spain stepped up its colonization in 1720. As the East Texas missions failed due to missions because of the effects of European of generations of American Indians and Texas is named. As dreams of wealth faded,­ 1690, establishing six missions in East Texas. disease, drought, and shifting relations with diseases, acculturation, and intermarriage. Hispanics, they live as active parishes. the Spanish concentrated more fully on Needing a way station between these and France, three were moved to the San Antonio By 1824 the San Antonio missions were

Coahuiltecans The Franciscan Missions

American Indians living Men hunted the oc­ makers, using baskets by the Spanish, which cartographers, diplo­ citizenship. Indians Life in the Mission tend gardens; and in the San Anto­ nio­ mis­ casional bison, deer, or to store and carry food. eventually decimated mats, scientific observ­ were taught obedience The Indian neophytes’ make soap, pottery, sions came from several rabbit or trapped fish They practiced rites of their numbers. Strug­ ers, and chroniclers. to the Crown along days were highly struc­ and candles. Older hunting­­ and gathering and snakes. But fruits, passage and observed gling under such hard­ But their primary New with the vocational tured. At sunrise, bells residents fished and bands known collec­ nuts, beans, roots, and seasonal ceremonies ships, Coahuiltecans World task was to ex­ skills needed for eco­ called them to morn­ made arrows. The neo­ tively as Coahuil­­­­­­­ tecans­ seeds gathered by the that were common to proved to be relatively pand Spanish culture nomic self-sufficiency. ing Mass, singing, phytes practiced their (kwa-weel-tekens). women and children many hunter-gatherer­ willing­ recruits for the to whatever lands the prayers, and religious catechism, usually in Ranging across today’s­ were the bulk of their cultures. missionaries. In ex­ Crown claimed. Massive stone walls instruction. They then Spanish. Prayers and a south Texas and north­ diet. change for labor and Fray Antonio Margil de around the compounds returned to their quar­ little free time ended eastern Mexico, they Even before mission life conversion to Catholi­ Jesús (1657–1726), founder The mission system gave residents security ters for the morn­ing the day. Church feast moved with the sea­ Wearing skins and wo­ changed their ancient cism, Indians received of Mission San José. sought to bring Indians from enemies. Helped meal, usually a corn days were welcome sons in search of food. ven sandals, they used living habits, the Coa­ food and refuge in the SAN JACINTO MUSEUM, HOUSTON into Spanish society by by soldiers from the dish. breaks in the routine. The bands had distinct bows and arrows, fish­ huiltecans were being missions. Cross and Crown concentrating the scat­ nearby presidio (fort), dialects and religious ing nets, digging sticks, pressed by nomadic Spanish colonialism, like tered tribes as church- the San Antonio mis­ Most men and boys Discipline—religious, practices but shared and grinding stones to tribes encroaching from that of other nations centered communities. sions also defended headed for the fields, social, and moral—was broad characteristics. get and prepare food. the north. But a greater then, was exploitative. With the direction of the King’s dominions. orchards, gardens, or the essence of the mis­ When time permitted threat was the Europe­ Yet the Franciscans di­ the Franciscans, the In­ Soldiers taught the In­ quarries. Others stayed sion system. Although Extended families they made brush huts an diseases introduced rected these missions dians built these com­ dians to use European behind to forge iron, some Coahuiltecans would come together and wove sleeping with a gentle hand. An munities, eventually arms. Nearly all armed weave cloth, or build fled the missions to re­ in larger bands when mats. They produced order of friars whose erecting stone struc­ patrols in Spanish Texas structures. A few tend­ turn to their old life, food was abundant. simple pottery and members took vows of tures and developing that pursued Apache ed livestock at the dis­ most ac­cepted Catholi­ were fine basket poverty, chastity, and stable economies. and Co­­­­m­anche Indians tant ranches. Women cism and actively took obedience, the Francis­ included mis­sion Indian and girls learned to part in Spanish society. cans pledged to serve Missions functioned auxiliaries. cook, sew, and spin; as protectors of the In­ primarily as religious Mission San José, mid-1700s dians. They also helped centers and training the Crown as explorers, grounds for Span­­­­­­ish

ILLUSTRATION OF MISSION LIFE NPS/RICHARD WILLIAMS Visiting the Missions

Spanish Colonial Architecture The Alamo About Your Visit Early missions were unwalled communities­ Mission San Antonio de Valero is commonly The visitor center—located at 6701 San José built of wood or adobe. Later, as tensions called the Alamo (right). Founded in 1718, it Drive, San Antonio, TX 78214—and missions are between northern tribes and mission resi­ was the first mission on the San Antonio open daily except Thanksgiving Day, December dents grew, these structures were encircled River. After 106 years as the sole caretaker 25, and January 1. The park has picnic tables. Food, camping, and lodging are nearby. by stone walls. Directed by skilled artisans of the Alamo, the Daughters of the Repub­ recruited from New Spain, the mission lic of Texas now manages this state historic For Your Safety Be careful: walks, ramps, and Indians built their communities. They pre­ site under the Texas General Land Office. steps can be uneven and slippery. • Avoid fire served the basic Spanish model, modified ants; stay on sidewalks. • Lock your car with as frontier conditions dictated. valuables out of sight. • Flash floods are com­

ALL PHOTOS NPS mon and deadly. When the San Antonio River rises, the mission trail south of Mission San José Concepción is closed. Don’t pass barriers that announce water on roads. Be cautious at water crossings.

The mission of Nuestra Missionaries worked to conversions when Indi- Be Considerate Stay off fragile stone walls. The Señora de la Purísima replace traditional ans took the sacra- missions are places of worship. Do not disrupt Concepción was trans- Indian rituals with reli- ments. religious services; be respectful of priests and ferred from East Texas gious festivals teaching parishioners. in 1731. The church Christian beliefs.­ Carv- While some of these looks essentially as it ings of the saints and conversions were tem- Firearms See the park website for regulations. did in the mid-1700s as objects of adoration porary, the combined the mission’s center of were popular­ images religious training and Accessibility We strive to make our facilities, religious activ­­ity. Color- of Cath­o­l­icism among Original interior paintings pag­eantry were largely ful geometric designs the Indians. Morality­ re­main at Mission Concep­ successful. services, and programs accessible to all. For in- once covering its sur- plays and religious cel- ción. Some are religious formation go to the visitor center, ask a ranger, face have long faded. ebrations were used symbols, while others are call, or check our website. for instruction.­ Mis- decorative, imitating archi­ sionaries recognized tectural elements. Congress created San Antonio Missions National Historical Park in 1978. By cooperative agree- ment with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, mis- San José sion churches remain active centers of worship. The National Park Service has cooperative agree- ments with the City of San Antonio, County of In 1720 Fray Antonio The size of the com- The mission residents Bexar, State of Texas, and San Antonio Conserva- Margil de Jesús found- plex testifies to San learned to use firearms ed the best known of José’s reputation as to fend off Comanche tion Society. This is one of over 400 parks in the the Texas missions, San the “Queen of the and Apache raids. Their National Park System. To learn more about na- José y San Miguel de Missions.” skill—plus imposing tional parks, visit www.nps.gov. Aguayo. San José was walls—discouraged the model mission Its village was central enemy attacks. More Information organization and a to a success­ ­ful mission, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park major social center. and the layout of the Fine details in San José’s 2202 Roosevelt Avenue Visitors praised its mission compound legendary­ Rose Window, San Antonio, TX 78210 unique church archi- shows how important or Rosa’s Window (right), 210-932-1001; headquarters 210-534-8833 tecture and the rich the community’s life show the Spanish artisans’ www.nps.gov/saan high level of skill. fields and pastures. was. Massive stone walls were for defense.­ Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

San Juan The Acequia System

Mission San Juan Cap- walls grew peaches, The missions of San istrano was originally melons, pumpkins, Antonio were not only San José de los Nazonis grapes, and peppers. self-suffi­­c­ient, but they in East Texas. In 1731 it Its irrigated fields pro- supported settlements was moved to its per- duced corn, beans, and the nearby presi- manent home on the sweet potatoes, squash, dio (fort). In the good San Antonio River’s and even sugar cane. times they traded sur­ east bank. Its fertile plus goods to others. farmland and pastures In 1762 Mission San This thriving econ­omy would soon make it a Juan’s herds were said helped the missions to Arches of the two-centuries-old Espada Aqueduct. regional supplier of to number 3,500 sheep Mission San Juan’s gate survive epidemics and produce. Orchards and and nearly as many typifies the Romanesque warfare. The success of any mission depended on crops. gardens outside the cattle. arches found throughout Sparse rainfall and the need for irrigation made the missions. it a priority to create seven gravity flow ditch systems, called acequias. Five dams and several aqueducts­­ along the San Antonio River ensured the flow of river water into the system. In Span- Espada ish Texas, irrigation was so important that crop- land was measured in suertes, the amount of Founded in 1690 as like a Spanish­ village’s Espada was the only land that could be watered in a day. The 15-mile San Francisco de los life. To develop a solid mission that made network irrigated about 3,500 acres of land. Tejas, this oldest­­ of economy, they taught bricks, which you can the East Texas­ missions mission Indians voca- still see. Mission Espada has the best-preserved acequia was moved to the San tions. Men learned to system. Espada Dam, completed by 1745, still di- Antonio River in 1731 weave cloth. Black- Work skills from the verts river water into an acequia madre (mother and there renamed smiths, indispensable, mission period were a ditch). Water is carried over Sixmile Creek (his- San Francisco de la repaired farm imple- boon to San Antonio’s torically Piedras Creek) via Espada Aqueduct— Espada. Espada looks ments and broken post-colonial growth. the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States. nearly as remote now metal tools. Others Mission artisans’ influ- Some say the broken arch Floodgates controlled water flow to fields for as in the mid-1700s. learned carpentry, ence shows through- over the Mission Espada irrigation and bathing, washing, and powering It was Spanish policy masonry, and stone- out today’s city. doorway is a builder’s that missionaries make cutting for building mistake, but many find mill wheels. Farms still use this system today. beauty in how it inverts mission community life elaborate buildings. the line you expect.

Mission Ranches

A mission’s goal of self- to Louisiana.­ Mission quent ­to be effective. even longhorn cattle sufficiency depend­ ed­­ Espada’s Rancho de las When all unbranded­ began in the Spanish on the success of its Cabras (Ranch of the cattle became property colon­­ial period. The farm and ranch. Free- Goats) was built like a of the Crown and sub- mission ranches left a roaming livestock on small fortress­ to pro- ject to taxation in rich heritage of equip- the mission ranches tect the vaqueros­ and 1778, the vast mis­­­sion ment, vocabulary, and proved very profitable. their families. herds were re­duced to folklore. Surplus sheep, goats, several hund­red head. and cattle were sold or Growing conflicts with Rancho de las Cabras traded to the presidios Apache­­­ Indians began America’s cattle indus- is southwest of Flores- and civil settlements­ as the mission ranches’ try in the 1800s stood ville, Texas. Access to far south and west as de­cline in the 1770s. on these Texas mission the site is by ranger- Coahuila (in present- Branding cattle in ranches’ legacy. Indus- guided tour. Contact day Mexico) and east the rough south Texas try regulations, ways the park for a current

brush country was dif- of handling the herds tour schedule. ✩GPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx Reprint 20xx ficult and too infre­ from horseback, and Printed on recycled paper.