Camp Wood in Real County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Mission San Lorenzo
1762 to 1771
Both missions were established by Felipe Rábago y Therán, Captain of Presidio San Sabá, in 1762. After requests from the Lipan, Rábago agreed to partially fund and provide military support for the new missions. Rábago supplied 4,000 pesos and 30 soldiers to help protect the missionary effort without permission from the Spanish government. The missions did, however, have the backing of the Church.
Friar Diego Jimenez was sent to El Cañón to help oversee the mission operation. Initially, some 400 Lipan arrived at San Lorenzo along with presidio soldiers and their families. Encouraged by the arrival of so many potential converts, the missionary fathers directed the construction of buildings and the planting of corn. Unfortunately, the early success and enthusiasm for the mission did not last.
Mission residents faced food shortages, Comanche raids that depleted livestock and destroyed crops, and the constant threat of attacks. Smallpox outbreaks in 1763 and 1764 added to the suffering. The Lipan lost faith in the Spaniards' ability to provide protection. By 1768, the Lipan abandoned San Lorenzo although few had been permanent residents. Shortly thereafter, missionary efforts officially ended as the friars and soldiers were re-assigned to new locations.
Captions
Left: View of 2018 archaeological excavations and surviving adobe block architecture
Right: Map courtesy of UTSA-CAR
Pamela Winfield created artwork for the signs and Joe D. Rogers, Taylor D. McKinney, Melissa Gardner, and Dr. Tamra L. Walter from Texas Tech University authored the text.
Erected by Texas Preservation Trust Fund, Calvin and Janet Vernor, Kids on a Mission, the City of Camp Wood Officers and Employees, the Nueces Canyon Mission Restoration Organization, the Texas Archeological Society, and the Texas Tech University Archaeological Field Schools.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Churches & Religion • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1762.
Location. 29° 40.598′ N, 100° 0.914′ W. Marker is in Camp Wood, Texas, in Real County. Marker is on Nueces Street (State Highway 55) 0.3 miles north of West 7th Street, on the left when traveling north. The marker is located at the entrance to the Mission San Lorenzo Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 675 North Texas Highway 55, Camp Wood TX 78833, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Spreading the Faith (a few steps from this marker); Site of Camp Wood (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Mission San Lorenzo De La Santa Cruz (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Provisioning the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Resisting the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Private Frank Marshall, C.S.A. (about 800 feet away, measured in a direct line); Charles A. Lindbergh in Texas (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Wood.
Also see . . . Mission San Lorenzo. (Submitted on December 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 3, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 64 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.