the last visual remnants of the Presidio San Antonio de Béjar. Traditionally known as the Spanish Governor’s Palace, it was the original comandancia (residence and working office) for the captains of the military garrison from 1722 until the early 1800s.The four rooms in the front of this palace were built in 1749 as the Captain’s House.The Conquistador.Arrival of the Canari Islanders in 1731..Jose de Azlor, the second Marques de San Miguel de Aguayo, born in Spain, and came to Mexico in 1712. He was appointed governor of Coahuila y Texas, and ordered a fort to be built at this location.Living room.Las Siete y Media Spanish Card Game.Second Bedroom.Late 1800s addition.This fireplace was the only one in the building prior to the 1930s restorations.This desk dates from the late 1800s. It was found in a house about three blocks from the palace that was built by Fernando Veramundi, a Spaniard who became one of early San Antonio’s richest and most influential merchants and public figures.This kitchen was added in the 1930s.Unusually cold weather for San Antonio. This is normally a water fountain in the patio garden.
Mission Espada (full name: Mission San Francisco de la Espada) was the first mission in Texas, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas. In 1731, the mission was transferred to the San Antonio River. A friary was built in 1745, and the church was completed in 1756.
In order to become Spanish citizens and productive inhabitants, Native Americans learned vocational skills. As plows, farm implements, and gear for horses, oxen, and mules fell into disrepair, blacksmithing skills soon became indispensable. Weaving skills were needed to help clothe the inhabitants. As buildings became more elaborate, mission occupants learned masonry and carpentry skills under the direction of craftsmen contracted by the missionaries.These were the walls to a church.
The Espada Aqueduct is the oldest Spanish aqueduct in the United States. The aqueduct carries water over Six-mile creek (historically piedras creek) connecting the ditches. The aqueduct is located north of Mission Espada. Water can still be seen today flowing over the aqueduct on its way to Mission Espada.
Mission San Juan (full name: Mission San Juan Capistrano).Originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas, Mission San Juan was transferred in 1731 to its present location. In 1756, the stone church, a friary, and a granary were completed. A larger church was begun, but was abandoned when half complete, the result of population decline.
San Juan was a self-sustaining community. Within the compound, Indian artisans produced iron tools, cloth, and prepared hides. Orchards and gardens outside the walls provided melons, pumpkins, grapes, and peppers. Beyond the mission complex Indian farmers cultivated maize (corn), beans, squash, sweet potatoes, and sugar cane in irrigated fields. Over 20 miles southeast of Mission San Juan was Rancho de Pataguilla, which, in 1762, reported 3,500 sheep and nearly as many cattle.The small, simple sanctuary at Mission San Juan.Walls of the structures in the mission.
Mission San Jose (full name: Mission San José y San Miguel de Aguayo.) is the most complete and reconstructed mission. This mission dates to 1720, and it was fully restored in 1930s. Mission San Jose has perhaps the most beautiful sanctuary, but unfortunately it was closed on the day we were here.Sculpted in 1775, the Rose Window is considered to be one of the finest examples of baroque architecture in North America.
