San Elizario in El Paso County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Espejo Beltran Expedition - 1582-1583
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010
1. Espejo Beltran Expedition Marker
Following the Rodriguez-Chamuscado expedition of 1581 there was increased interest in the area now known as New Mexico and Texas. There was also concern for the safety of Fray Rodriguez and Fray Lopez, who had stayed in the area. In 1582 a Franciscan priest, from Santa Barbara, Mexico, Fray Bernardino Beltran, formed an expedition to find the missionaries. His military escort was led by Antonio de Espejo, a former Santa Barbara merchant and rancher living in voluntary exile over a legal dispute with the Spanish authorities.The expedition departed the mining outpost of Bartolome in November 1582. By the following January they had reached the El Paso area. In present New Mexico they learned that Fray Rodriguez and Fray Lopez had been killed by Indians. Fray Beltran led a small party back to Mexico, but Espejo and several companions stayed to check the Indian stories of silver mines and wealthy pueblos. On their journey the Spaniards became the first explorers in the region from the Pecos River Valley to the Junta de Los Rios, the junction of the Choncho River and the Rio Grande. The reports of their explorations further heightened the
Photographed By Brian Anderson, May 19, 2018
2. Espejo Beltran Expedition - 1582-1583 Marker
this page online
Erected 1981 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 1503.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration. In addition, it is included in the Antonio de Espejo Entrada of 1582-1583 series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1582.
Location. 31° 35.118′ N, 106° 16.381′ W. Marker is in San Elizario, Texas, in El Paso County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of San Elizario Road and Church Street. Marker is located at the San Elizario Memorial Plaza. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1521 San Elizario Road, San Elizario TX 79849, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Juan de Onate Expedition - 1598 (here, next to this marker); Rodriguez-Chamuscado Expedition - 1581 (here, next to this marker); San Elizario (here, next to this marker); Salt War (here, next to this marker); The Camino Real (here, next to this marker); San Elizario Memorial Plaza (here, next to this marker); The First Thanksgiving (here, next to this marker); Los Portales (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Elizario.
Also see . . . Espejo Beltran Expedition. The expedition of twelve soldiers, Espejo, the friars, servants, 115 horses and
Photographed By Bill Kirchner, November 4, 2010
3. San Elizario Memorial Plaza, Church Road & Glorietta Road
Espejo Beltran Expedition Marker is the fourth marker on the right.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2018. It was originally submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,382 times since then and 19 times this year. Last updated on June 5, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. Photos: 1. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 2. submitted on June 5, 2018, by Brian Anderson of Humble, Texas. 3. submitted on November 16, 2010, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
