Mission San Jos?® Church
The missions of San Antonio were a factor in the history of Texas and the heart of the establishment of the city of San Antonio.
In 1983, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established
Mission San Jos?® Church
The missions of San Antonio were a factor in the history of Texas and the heart of the establishment of the city of San Antonio.
In 1983, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park was established
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mission San Jos?®
Mission San Jos?®
San Antonio, Texas
Main entrance, Mission San Jos?® Church
. . .fine example of the baroque style of architecture that was popular in Spain at the time the Franciscans settled in what is now Texas.
The history of San Antonio and this region began when...
between 1718 -1731 Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the five missions located along the San Antonio River . . .presently the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park Trail
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mission San Jos?®
San Jose (1720)
Soon after the building of the Alamo, a second mission was founded in 1720 about five miles downstream. . . know as ÔÇ£The Queen of the MissionsÔÇØ . . . provided the strongest garrison against raids from Indians
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Mission Concepci??n Church
Mission Concepci??n Church (1731)
The church at Concepcion looks essentially as it did more than 200 years ago, when it stood at the center of local religious activity.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mission Espada (1731)
Espada (1731)
Founded as San Francisco de los Tejas near present day Welch, Texas, this was the first mission in Texas. The mission transferred to the San Antonio River area and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. It is the southernmost of the chain of missions located on the San Antonio River. Mission Espada features an unusual door and stone entrance archway
Missions San Jose, San Juan, Concepcion, and Espada continue to operate as active parishes of the Catholic church and all are open to the public. Through a cooperative agreement with the Archdiocese of San Antonio, the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park of the National Park Service administers and maintains these missions today.
. . .San Antonio de Valero, commonly called the Alamo
The Alamo (1718)
The first and today the most widely known of these missions was San Antonio de Valero, commonly called the Alamo. It was established in 1718 as a way station between missions already existing in East Texas and other base missions in Mexico. It was well over 100 years old when it became the focal point for the Battle of the Alamo, fought March 6, 1836. The Alamo will always be remembered and associated with that battle.
The Alamo is where Texas defenders fell to Mexican General Santa Anna and the phrase “Remember the Alamo!” originated. The Alamo is considered the cradle of Texas liberty and the state’s most popular historic site.
Touring the missions, highlighted the history of old Texas to me. It gives a sense of what it was like to live at the time. It gives a sense of how out nation was developed.These missions were built before our Nation declared Independence. Many riders pass on the East Texas as a destination because it is not as scenic as the "Hill Country" or "The Big Bend", but you really get a feel for early history by doing parts of the Mission, Independence and Fort Trails.
. .THE SPIRIT OF SACRIFICE aka The Alamo Cenotaph
Bowie and Bonham on the east face
The east and west faces have larger-than-life statues of various Alamo defenders
Travis and Crockett on the west face
The south side of the monument has the 25-foot figure - Spirit of Sacrifice -
The north face has a female figure representing Texas
The marker reads:
Erected in Memory of the Heroes who sacrificed their lives at the Alamo, March 6, 1836 in the defense of Texas, "They chose never to surrender nor retreat, these brave hearts with flag still proudly waving perished in the flames of immortality that their high sacrifice might lead to the founding on this Texas."
Funded 1936 - Begun 1937 - Completed 1939
Taken from the Greek words kenos, (empty) and taphos, (tomb) - cenotaphs are tombs or monuments erected to honor a person or persons whose remains are elsewhere or their whereabouts unknown.
Texas has many such empty tombs, some of them modest tombstones in humble cemeteries. This one in San Antonio's Alamo Plaza is sometimes referred to as "The" Cenotaph.
. . . . . . . . . . San Antonio - San Fernando Cathedral
San Fernando Cathedral was established in 1731 and construction beginning 1749
San Fernando Cathedral is the oldest cathedral sanctuary in the United States.
During the siege of the Alamo Santa Anna used it as an observation post.
The famous Alamo defender James Bowie was married here
Notable historic figures Bowie, William Travis and Davy Crockett are buried here.
. . . . . . . . .King William Historic District, San Antonio
King William Historic Home District
San Antonio, Texas
San Antonio River Walk
or Paseo Del Rio, is a 3 mile stretch of beautifully landscaped waterfront that features many of San Antonio's most spectacular hotels, restaurants, night clubs, bars, shopping centers and businesses.
It is noted as one of the most dynamic "tourist attractions" in the entire state of Texas
"tourist attractions" - not my cup of tea.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Blue Star Brewery
The Blue Star Brewing Company Restaurant/Brewery
established on the southern reach of the San Antonio River in 1996, near the King William Historic Home District
. . . . . . . . .Lone Star Brewery - San Antonio, Texas
The empty "Lonely Star" complex
Great pics! Thanks for the quick reminders!
Christ Lutheran Church of Elm Creek, building was built and dedicated, 1887
San Antonio BMW Club members Paulmul , Jackie and I walked through the cemetery to read the Church historic marker. We noticed all the kids and young peoples graves, and even with our uncertain economic times we felt we were lucky to live in this day and age
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