Illustration 1: San Francisco de la Espada

A range of missions were established in Texas by the Spanish Crown in order to the region. As a result,  San Francisco de la Espada was founded in 1690, originally named San Francisco de los Tejas.  It is one of the oldest San Antonio Missions. It was moved to its current location in 1731, although its original location is unclear. Its layout is shown below.

The mission was under the guidance of the Franciscans. Their mission was to educate the Indians, and to christianize them. The San Francisco de la Espada mission was a protected mission, with large defensive walls. The Indians who served the missions were the Coahuitecans. They had their own residencial areas, as shown below.

Indian Living Quarters at San Francisco de la Espada

The Coahuiltecan Indians were considered a nomadic tribe who were hunters and gatherers. Whereas men hunted bison and deer among others, women and children collected fruits and other edibles. Life in the mission started early with a morning mass, followed by religious instruction. After breakfast, the residents would tend the fields, which included  orchards. This was greatly facilitated by the irrigation canals, or acequias, that run from the San Antonio River into the fields. This irrigation system was essential for the survival of the growing Spanish colonies.

In fact, the San Francisco de la Espada has one of the best-preserved irrigation systems in Texas. They are still in use today. Altogether, at least five dams and a number of aqueducts were constructed along the San Antonio River to ensure proper water flow.  The abundance of water and resourced prompted the economic growth of the missions like San Francisco de la Espada.

In 1824, the Mission was auctioned by the Governor of Coahuila and Texas. It was not until 1858, when the priest Francis Bouchu began to restore the mission.  To this day the church is open to the community as shown below.

San Francisco de la Espada church

Bibliography

Escobedo, James T. Jr.  “Bouchu, Francis.” Handbook of Texas Online. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fbo84] March 20, 2017.

Davis, Clint E. “San Francisco De La Espada Mission.” Handbook of Texas Online. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/uqs12] March 20, 2017.

Habig, Marion A., and O.F.M. “Franciscans.” Handbook of Texas Online. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ixf01] March 20, 2017.

Long, Christopher, rev, and Jasinsk, Laurie E. “Rancho De Las Cabras,” Handbook of Texas Online. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ghr01] March 20, 2017.

Davis, Clint E., “San Francisco De La Espada Mission.” Handbook of Texas Online.[http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/uqs12] March 20, 2017.

Long, Christopher. “Acequias.” Handbook of Texas Online. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ruasg] March 20, 2017. [

“Coahuiltecan Indians,” Handbook of Texas Online. [http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/bmcah] March 20, 2017.

“Mission Espada.” [https://www.nps.gov/saan/planyourvisit/espada.htm] March 20, 2017.

“Mission San Francisco de la Espada.” [http://www.sanfranciscodelaespadamision.com/] March 20, 2017.

“The Spaniards – Peninsulares, Criollos, and Mestizos.” [https://www.nps.gov/saan/learn/historyculture/history3spaniards.htm] March 20, 2017

Additional Resources

Ahlborn, Richard E.; Compadres de San Antonio Missions National Historical Park; and Amon Carter Museum of Western Art. The San Antonio Missions: Edward Everett and the American Occupation, 1847. Fort Worth, TX: 1985.http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/948164648.

Almaráz, Félix D. The San Antonio Missions and their System of Land Tenure. Austin: TX: 1989. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/884338466.

Aniol, Claude B., and John Peace Collection. San Antonio, City of Missions. New York: 1942. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/960759635.

La Vere, David. The Texas Indians. College Station, TX: 2004. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/851035043.

Martin, George Castor. Pictorial Record of the Material Culture of the Coahuiltecan Indian Sites of Atascosa, Bexar, LaSalle and McMullen Counties, Texas. Terrell Wells, TX: 1940. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/63566614.

Poyo, Gerald Eugen; Hinojosa, Gilberto Miguel; and University of Texas Institute of Texan Cultures at San Antonio. Tejano Origins in Eighteenth-Century San Antonio. Austin, TX: 1991. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/6911303817.

Green, David P.  Place Names of San Antonio: Plus Bexar and Surrounding Counties.  San Antonio, TX: 2011. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/906121951.

Torres, Luis; Guerra, Dora Elizondo; and San Antonio Authors Collection. Voices from the San Antonio Missions. Lubbock, TX: 1997. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/644024422.

Day, James M., and John Peace Collection. Six Missions of Texas. Waco, TX: 1965. http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/781413680.

 

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