On a Mission

With time in San Antonio coming to an end, it's hard to believe we've spent 2 weeks here already. In saying that I still wanted to see the local missions. The five missions that were established along the San Antonio River in the 1700's shows the success of Spain in moving northward from New Spain(present day Mexico).


Mission Map

Unable to see inside the Alamo on Christmas Day we started our mission trail there. Construction of the Alamo(originally named Mission San Antonio de Valero) began in 1724 and was the first mission on the San Antonio River . It played a critical role in the Texas Revolution. The history behind the Alamo is both fact and speculation. What is fact is the final assault came in March 1836 when General Santa Anna and his soldiers scaled the walls and rushed the compound. The Alamo became known as a heroic battle where men made the ultimate sacrifice for freedom against overwhelming odds.

The Long Barracks

You're not allowed to take pictures inside the Church. The Long Barrack is now a museum and houses exhibits about the Alamo.


Iron projectile points and flint knife blades

Center key was for The Alamo

Rifle & small knife belonged to Davy Crockett

Reproduction of Mexican uniform

The next mission along the trail which has been nicely marked by the National Park Service was Mission  Concepcion. Moved from East Texas in 1731, Concepcion is one of the oldest original stone churches.

Mission Concepcion

Services are still held today

Fresco is one of the most permanent ways of decorating. Pigment is applied to wet lime plaster, which absorbs the color.

Original fresco

Look Sue, it's a slot machine

Further down the trail was Mission San Jose which was considered the "Queen of the Missions". At the peak of development in 1768 there were 350 Indians residing in the mission.

Mission San Jose

 

Limestone church with Spanish colonial Baroque architecture

The Convento provided residence for missionaries and visitors 

Original fresco

The next mission was Mission San Juan which began in east Texas and reestablished on the San Antonio River in 1731.

Mission San Juan

Ruins of Indian living quarters

Lastly was Mission Espada which was established along the San Antonio River in 1731. Over a fifty year period the Spanish Franciscan taught Indians the principles of farming, ranching, blacksmithing, and much more. Beyond the walls of Mission Espada were peach orchards and fields of corn, beans, and melons.

Mission Espada

The Granary, a storage facility for surplus product

Indians quarters

Original mission walls remain

After all this church going you might think we are religious people. Well the story is I love old buildings with a history. Doesn't matter if it's a mission or a ghost town I love to investigate them.