Victoria in Victoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espíritu Santo

Second Site of Mission Nuestra Senora del Espíritu Santo de Zuniga

Photographed by Richard Denney

1. Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espíritu Santo marker

Inscription. The arrival of Frenchman Rene Robert Cavalier, Sieur de La Salle, on Garcitas Creek in 1685 marks the establishment of the first European settlement in Texas. Within four years though, all of La Salle’s settlers were either dead or scattered. Word of the French incursion into Spanish territory triggered a “manhunt” for the settlement that involved a total of eleven expeditions by land and sea to locate and destroy it. In April of 1689 Alonzo De Leon located the settlement. He buried the skeletal remains of the settlers, buried eight French cannons, made a sketch of the site, and returned to New Spain (Mexico City). A year later he returned and burned all evidence of the French presence. In 1721 the first Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía Presidio was built atop the burned remains of La Salle's settlement; the first Mission Nuestra Senora del Espíritu Santo de Zuniga was built across Garcitas Creek, a short distance away.

Spanish forts and missions had different agendas and rules. The presidio was a fort where soldiers lived, patrolled the frontier and protected the mission. The mission was where priests

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lived, farmed, and converted the local Indians to the Catholic religion.

By 1725, both the mission and presidio had been moved to Tonkawa Bank in present day Riverside Park. The presidio soon moved six miles up the east bank of the Guadalupe River. Priests had elaborate plans for converting the local Native Americans and raising enough crops to sustain everyone at the site. Stone mission complex was constructed as well as an earthen dam – thirty feet high and ninety feet wide – to retain rain water which drained toward the river from the east. Water was also diverted from Spring Creek to water the crops, which were planted alongside the river. In 1726 the mission moved eight miles above Victoria on the west side of the Guadalupe River where it remained for the next twenty-three years.

1725–1726
Life at Mission Espíritu Santo on Tonkawa Bank

Timber, stone and water were more abundant here than along Garcitas Creek where the first mission and presidio were constructed. The inland Indian tribe – the Aranamas – were accommodating to Spanish missionaries and to the Catholic religion. The Spanish Padres

Photographed by James Hulse, February 21, 2022

2. Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espíritu Santo Marker

demonstrated the rare ability to inspire Indians to learn about agriculture, industry and art. The Indians and Spanish Padres coexisted happily on Tonkawa Bank.

A soldier’s life at a Spanish presidio was hard. It was a 10-year commitment with daily patrols half way to the next mission, monitoring Indian activity away from the mission, escorting Spanish supply caravans safely to their destination plus the unending task of maintaining, enlarging, and repairing the mission complex. Days were long and their pay was seldom on time.

It soon became obvious that more land was needed to accomplish the goals set by the Padres. In 1726 this site was abandoned in favor of land near Mission Creek, where more extensive farming could be done.

(captions)
“The Padres” Original Illustration by Tom Jones
“Mission Espíritu Santo” Original Illustration by Tom Jones

Erected by El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1689.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby.

Photographed by Richard Denney

3. Presidio La Bahia and Mission Espíritu Santo marker

Site where marker is located is part of the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail.

28° 49.448′ N, 97° 0.774′ W. Marker is in Victoria, Texas, in Victoria County. It is on McCright Drive 0.2 miles west of North Vine Street, on the left when traveling west. Marker is in field near west of the Victoria Parks and Recreation Department building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 476 McCright Drive, Victoria TX 77901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Tonkawa Bank (a few steps from this marker); Old La Bahia Road (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Victoria (about 800 feet away); Friedrich & Margaretha Hiller House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Steamboating and the Guadalupe River (approx. 0.4 miles away); William Robert Smith

Artist Reconstruction image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney

4. Artist Reconstruction

An artist's reconstruction of Presidio La Bahia that hangs in the nearby Parks and Recreation building. The artist was Tom Jones based on the works of John L. Jarratt.

(approx. 0.8 miles away); John Howland Wood (approx. 0.9 miles away); Margaret Wright "The Mother of Texas" (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Victoria.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Tonkawa Bank (was a few steps from this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Guadalupe River image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney

5. Guadalupe River

Tonkawa Bank was a crossing of El Camino Real across the Guadalupe River. View from bank of Guadalupe River .15 miles west of marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 26, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2019, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,136 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 5, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on February 26, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 5, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.