Harlandale in San Antonio in Bexar County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
San Antonio Missions
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Las misiones de San Antonio
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 18, 2025
1. San Antonio Missions Las misiones de San Antonio Marker
With labor from Indigenous South Texans, the Spanish built five missions on the northern frontier of New Spain. Four of the five comprise San Antonio Missions National Historic Park. All five missions, including Mission Valero, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. They are the most complete and intact group of Spanish Colonial mission complexes in the world. Through these mission communities, the Spanish asserted political, religious, and cultural influences on its newly claimed territories. You can take the short drive between missions or walk or bike along the paved Mission Reach Hike and Bike Trail that connects these sites. All four missions within the park are active parishes.Mission Concepción
Home to the best-preserved mission church, It contains the largest single collection of Spanish Colonial frescos in the nation.
Mission San José
The largest of the missions, the imposing walled complex includes a church, native quarters, a mill and a granary. A 1930s project restored much of the church and other structures.
Mission San Juan
The standing building, visible ruins, and
this page online
Mission Espada
In addition to the historic mission complex, two miles north of this mission lies the Espada Aqueduct. The aqueduct is the only function aqueduct from the Spanish Colonial period in the United States.
Spanish:
La misión Concepción
Esta misión contiene la iglesia misionera mejor preservada y la colección más grande de frescos españoles coloniales de la nación.
La misión San José
Esta es la misión más grande. Hay una iglesia, un molino, un granero y unos
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 18, 2025
2. San Antonio Missions Las misiones de San Antonio Marker
La misión San Juan
Los edificios, ruinas visibles y muros reconstruidos muestran la escala de este complejo. Al pasear por los caminos, se puede ver el río San Antonio y los campos y el sistema de irrigación histórico.
La misión Espada
A tres kilómetros al norte de la misión Espada se sitúa el acueducto de Espada. Es el único acueducto operativo en Estados Unidos del periodo colonial español.
Erected by San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1930.
Location. 29° 21.617′ N, 98° 28.791′ W. Marker is in San Antonio, Texas, in Bexar County. It is in Harlandale. It is on San Jose Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6701 San Jose Dr, San Antonio TX 78214, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South Texas. It is also in the American South. 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 marker: Mission San José / La misión San José (here, next to this marker); Royal Roads / El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); Mission San José / La Misión de San José (about 300 feet away, measured
Photographed by Sandra Hughes Tidwell, February 18, 2025
3. San Antonio Missions Las misiones de San Antonio Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. San Antonio Missions / Las misiones de San Antonio (has been replaced with this marker); The Mission Road / El Camino de las Misiones (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Convento / El convento (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Indian Quarters / Habitaciones de los Indios (was about 600 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Rose Window / Ventana de Rosa (was about 700 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 28, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 204 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 27, 2025, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.
