Greater South River City in Austin in Travis County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Approximate Site Reached by the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre Expedition
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 6, 2013
1. Approximate Site Reached By the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre Expedition Marker
A good will trip made in 1709, when Spain was uneasy about her 190-year-old claim to Texas, (She had closed East Texas missions, then had learned of a French trading visit to Texas, 1707.) Capt. Pedro de Aguirre and 14 soldiers escorted from a mission on the Rio Grande, Father Isidro de Espinosa and Father Antonio de San Beneventura Olivares.
The Tejas were not in this vicinity as expected. Capt. Aguirre had no order to cross the the Colorado River, so the Padres sent the East Texas Indians an invitation to visit them on the Rio Grande, and turned back here.
Erected 1936 by Texas Highway Department. (Marker Number 14903.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Hispanic Americans • Native Americans. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, and the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1709.
Location. 30° 13.965′ N, 97° 45.489′ W. Marker is in Austin, Texas, in Travis County. It is in Greater South River City. Marker is at the intersection of South Congress Avenue and University Circle, on the right when traveling north on South Congress Avenue
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Saint Edward’s University Main Building (approx. 0.3 miles away); Walter Tips House (approx. half a mile away); Fort Magruder, C.S.A (approx. 0.6 miles away); Green Pastures (approx. 0.9 miles away); Doyle Farm (approx. 0.9 miles away); Reuter House (approx. one mile away); Robert S. Stanley House (approx. one mile away); Walter and Mae Simms House (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Austin.
Also see . . . Espinosa, Olivares, Aguirre Expedition. Handbook of Texas Online (Submitted on October 6, 2013.)
Additional keywords. El Camino Real
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 6, 2013
2. Approximate Site Reached By the Espinosa-Olivares-Aguirre Expedition Marker
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 6, 2013
3. Closeup, Texas Highway Department
This is located on the base of the marker.
Photographed By Richard Denney, October 6, 2013
4. View of marker in context of bus stop
This photo is looking north down South Congress. The Colorado River (locally referred to here as Lady Bird Lake) is approx. two miles.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 6, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,701 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on October 29, 2020, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 6, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
