Camp Wood in Real County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Resisting the Faith
While at the mission, the Lipan were expected to follow a strict routine that included daily mass, religious instruction, chores, labor in the fields, and vocational training. To aid these efforts, Christianized Tlaxcalan groups from Mexico were brought in by the Spanish to serve as examples to the Lipan. Nevertheless, efforts to convert the Lipan were complicated by their refusal to live at the mission permanently.
The Tlaxcalan converts labored in the fields and helped to build the acequias (irrigation canals) used to water the mission crops. Given the reluctance of the Lipan to settle at San Lorenzo, the work of the Tlaxcalans was vital for the daily operations of the mission. Food shortages were common and the missionaries struggled to feed the mission population.
Information about the mission diet comes from archival and archaeological data. These data show that sheep, goats, cattle, chickens, and pigs were brought to the mission. Local game including deer, rabbits, freshwater fish, and birds supplemented the diet and were likely obtained by the Lipan. Old World spices were also purchased in Mexico along with sugar and chocolate. In addition, corn, squash, and melons were planted with some success.
Captions
Lower Left: A page from the mission inventory kept by the friars at San Lorenzo. The document lists goods purchased for the mission each year including clothes, tools, pottery, and food
Right: Sketch of northwest corner of mission looking west, from Tunnell's 1969 report
Erected by Mission San Lorenzo.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Churches & Religion • Native Americans. A significant historical year for this entry is 1969.
Location. 29° 40.62′ N, 100° 0.938′ W. Marker is in Camp Wood, Texas, in Real County. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: 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. Provisioning the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Spreading the Faith (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San Lorenzo (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the Mission San Lorenzo De La Santa Cruz (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of Camp Wood (within shouting distance of this marker); Private Frank Marshall, C.S.A. (approx. 0.2 miles away); Charles A. Lindbergh in Texas (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Camp Wood.
Also see . . . Mission San Lorenzo. (Submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 57 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 4, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.