Texas History

By lipscbre000
  • Nov 5, 1492

    Columbas

    Began European exploration to the Americas.
  • Nov 5, 1519

    Pineda

    Mapped the Texas coastline
  • Nov 7, 1528

    Cabeza de Vaca

    Traveld Texas for over 7 years and wrote a book about his travels.
  • Nov 5, 1540

    Coronado

    Seached for the 7 cities of gold, but found nothing.
  • Nov 5, 1542

    Moscoso

    Found petroleum in East Texas.

  • Onate

    Claimed the Rio Grande Valley for Spain.

  • Mission Corpus Christi de la Ysleta

    Located along the Rio Grande, just east of present-day El Paso. The mission was built among the Tigua people in 1682. Shortly after the mission was built, 21 Spanish families moved to the area to meet the spiritual needs of the Tigua people.

  • La Salle

    Built Fort St. Louis on Matagorda Bay.

  • Mission San Francisco de los Tejas

    Established in May of 1690, and was the first mission founded in east Texas. Spain had learned that La Salle had been in the area and built Fort St. Louis. They feared that even though La Salle’s settlement had failed, France would send another group of settlers to try again. Mission San Francisco de los Tejas was built among the Atakapan people who were more interested in stealing horses than going to church. The mission site was located just west of the Neches River.

  • Mission Santisimo Nombre de Maria

    Second mission founded in east Texas along the Neches River around August 1690. This mission was completely destroyed by flooding from the Neches River. It was located just North and East of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, on the opposite side of the river.

  • Mission Nuestra Senora de la Concepción de Acuna

    Originally built in East Texas to protect the Spanish owned territory from the French. After a rough beginning and several moves, the mission was permanently moved to San Antonio in 1731, becoming the third in a chain of five missions established along the San Antonio River. This mission is located between the Alamo and San Jose missions along the San Antonio River.

  • Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches

    Founded in 1716 and remained in use for more than 50 years until it was abandoned in 1773. A few years later, when they established the town of Nacogdoches, settlers used the empty buildings. This mission is located just Southeast of Mission Santisimo near present-day Nacogdoches.

  • Mission San Antonio de Valero

    The mission was located on the east bank of the San Antonio River. In 1739, the Indians of the mission were almost completely wiped out by an epidemic of smallpox. The mission became known as The Alamo, and after the epic battle against Santa Anna in 1836.

  • Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo

    Second and largest in a chain of five missions established along the San Antonio River. The mission had a difficult beginning, but soon the 300 Indians who lived there became successful farmers and ranchers. The Indians helped dig 15 miles of irrigation ditches to bring water to the farms of the five San Antonio missions. Mission San Jose was so successful, it became known as “Queen of the Missions”. Mission San Jose is located just Southeast of The Alamo.

  • Mission Nuestra Senora del Espiritu Santo de Zuniga

    Established on April 10, 1722, along the Matagorda Bay of the Guadalupe River. The mission was built to serve the Karankawa indians and to reinforce the Spanish presence in the area to help keep the French out of Texas. The mission and the presidio that was built nearby became known as La Bahia Mission, and is one of the oldest and most successful missions in Texas.

  • Mission San Juan Capistrano

    Made its permanent home near San Antonio on July 14, 1731, becoming the fourth in a chain of missions along the San Antonio River. Within a few years, San Juan became a successful mission with rich farmland, orchards, and gardens. By 1762, the Indians living in the mission village were raising more than 3,000 head of sheep and cattle. They were growing enough pumpkins, grapes, and peppers to supply other communities with fresh vegetables. Located directly east of Mission Concepcion.

  • Mission San Francisco de la Espada

    Originally located in east Texas with the name San Francisco de los Tejas. The mission was renamed and move to the San Antonio area in 1731, becoming the fifth mission in the chain of missions along the San Antonio River. Indians at Mission Espada were taught masonry and carpentry by Spanish craftsmen. These skills helped the Indians survive in Texas long after the missions were closed. Mission Espada is located due South of Mission San Juan.

  • San Xavier missions

    Founded along the San Xavier River between in December of 1747. Conflict with the local garrison commander led to relocation of the missions to a site on the San Marcos River in 1755. The missions closed the following year. Located between the Guadalupe River and the Colorado River.

  • Santa Cruz de San Saba

    It was attacked and destroyed in a revolt by Indians less than a year later. Located just Northeast of the Nueces River.

  • Nuestra Senora del Refugio

    Last Spanish mission founded in Texas. It was abandoned in 1830. Later, Irish immigrants to the area named their settlement after the mission. Located along the Texas coast, just south of the San Antonio River.