Missions Along the San Antonio River

Missions Along the San Antonio River. . Exploratory Expeditions Traveled North from New Spain (today's Mexico) beginning in the 1500s seeking to expand Spain's influence in America. In the following two centuries soldiers and priests accompanying these groups established presidios to secure the remote frontier and built missions to spread the Catholic faith. Native inhabitants found refuge from hostile tribes in missionary-led communities and learned the Spanish way of life that included religion and agriculture. Some of the most successful missions were built along the San Antonio River. Mission San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo) was founded here in 1718, followed by Mission San José in 1720, and Missions Concepción, San Juan, and Espada in 1731. To the southeast at today's Goliad, Mission Espíritu Santo was established in 1749 and Mission Rosario in 1754. As permanent settlements developed near the missions, Spain's expansionist goals were fulfilled. The missions closed beginning in the 1790s and their lands and property were distributed to residents. The buildings then fell into disrepair, but renewed interest beginning in the late 1800s led to restoration work that continues today. These efforts have assured the preservation of the San Antonio and Goliad missions reminders of the Spanish colonial legacy., Captions , Top: San Antonio Valero (the Alamo) is owned by the State of Texas , Photo: Zygmunt Put; , Courtesy: Wikipedia Commons, Bottom 1: San Antonio's missions are San Antonio de Valero (the Alamo, top of panel), San José, Concepción, San Juan, and Espada (clockwise) and are seen here as they appear today. , The four down river mission churches remain active parishes of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, while the surrounding building and grounds are administered by the federal government as the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. , Photos (above and right): Mark Mentzer, San Antonio , Courtesy: Ford, Powell and Carson Architects and Planners, San Antonio , National Park Service, Bottom 2: Missions Espiritu Santos (above) and Rosario (below) are historic sites in Goliad State Park. The Mission Rosario site is open by appointment only. , The Franciscan order trained priests at its colleges in Zacatecas and Queretaro, Mexico, to staff missions it founded during the 1700s throughout today's Texas. This map shows the locations of the Texas missions including those along the San Antonio River , Photo: DLS Texas; Courtesy: Wikipedia Commons , Photo: John Stantone; Courtesy: fortwiki.com