U. S. Mission Trail / The Mission Trail Today - The Spanish Missions in Texas
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Select photographs of my many visits to The Missions of the United States South and Southwest built by Spain and Mexico between 1565 and 1823.
All photographs taken by Kenneth A. Larson. All rights reserved. © 2008 - 2013.

Explanation.

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The Spanish established about 50 missions in Texas, some of which, because of shifting borders, are now in Mexico and Louisiana. The most famous Mission in Texas isn't recognized by most of the general public as being a mission. San Antonio de Valero is better known as the Alamo where Davy Crockett and over 100 defenders lost their lives. The Texas Mission story is complex and difficult to follow as missions moved, closed, changed their names, were secularized, were attacked, abandoned, and a few have been restored. In 2008 & 9 we made two trips to central and east Texas and Louisiana visiting 15 Mission sites so watch for more in the near future.

San Francisco de los Tejas was the first Mission in Texas, established in 1690. Within months a second Mission, Santisimo Nombre de Maria was established a short distance away. Both had been abandoned by 1693. Mission San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes was the fifth Mission founded in East Texas near the town of Los Adaes which served as the capitol of the Provence of Texas from 1721 until about 1779.
Missions of East Texas:

The Franciscans extablished six Missions along the San Antonio River in the early 1700s - five flourished. (label copy at Mission Espada). I hope soon to add information on the sixth Mission.


Camino Real (needs work)

Missions

  1. Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, 1690 (needs work) - East Texas
  2. Mission Santissimo Nombre de Maria, 1690 (needs work) - Houston County East Texas
  3. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepcion, (needs work)- San Antonio
  4. Mission Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches, 1716 (needs work) - East Texas
  5. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepcion, 1716 (needs work) - East Texas
  6. Mission Nuestro Padre San Francisco de los Tejas, 1716 (needs work) - East Texas
  7. Mission San Francisco de los Neches, 1716 (or 21) (needs work) - East Texas
  8. Mission San Jose de los Nasonis, 1716 (needs work) - East Texas
  9. Mission San Miguel de Linares de los Adeas, 1717 (needs work) - Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
  10. Mission Nuestra Señora de los Dolores,1716 & 1721 (needs work) - San Augustine East Texas
  11. Mission Espiritu Santo de Zuñiga, (needs work) - Goliad
  12. Mission Nuestra Senora del Rosario, (needs work) - Goliad
  13. Mission San Antonio de Velero, 1718 (needs work) - San Antonio
  14. Mission San Francisco de la Espada, (needs work) - San Antonio (needs work)
  15. Mission San Jose, 1720 (needs work) - San Antonio
  16. Mission San Francisco Xavier de Nájera, 1722 - San Antonio
  17. Mission San Juan, 1731(needs work) - San Antonio
  18. Three Missions temporary site in Austin (Missions San Francisco de la Espada, Mission Nuestra Senora de la Purisima Concepcion, and Mission San Juan Capistrano) (needs work)
  19. Mission San Miguel de Cuellar (needs work) - Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
  20. Mission Nuestra Señora del Refugio, 1791(needs work) - Refugio


Presidios

  1. Presidio Bahia (needs work) - Goliad
  2. Presidio Nuestra Señora Pilar de Los Adaes, 1721 (needs work) - Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana
  3. Presidio Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Tejas


Puebos

  1. Los Adaes, 1721 (needs work) - Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana

Sources:

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This page last updated: Sunday, 02-Nov-2025 15:52:55 PST
Note:This is not the official site for any of the places shown in US Mission Trail. US Mission Trail is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, and exhibits are subject to change without notice.

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