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This site is owned, designed, and operated by Kenneth A. Larson who has over a third century of experience in design and construction of scenery for the Entertainment Industry and Theme Parks using Computer Aided and Traditional approaches to Design. Ken also has experience in other areas of Design.

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 - 2012.
This web site contains no paid advertising. Donations help.

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San Francisco de los Tejas

Founded 1690
by Three priests under Alonso de Leon
Near Weches

Personal Observations

Mission Art & Photo-Art

History

San Francisco de los Tejas was established in 1690 but short lived and abandoned in 1693. This was not the end of the story, it was re-established several times in different locations, finally ending settling in San Antonio where it stands today.

The Mission was established to solidify the boundary from French intrusions from the east. Alonso de Leon accompanied by 110 soldiers and three priests traveled to a location a little west of the Neches River along San Pedro Creek, among a Nebedache village. The church was believed to have been built in three days of wood and nothing remains today.

The Nebedache believed baptisms were causing diseases and they resisted the new religion. Hostilities lead to abandonment in 1693.

March 1690: Captain Alonso de Leon and company leave Mondova, Mexico.
May 1690: The company establishes the Mission, the first in Texas.
June 1, 1690: The Mission is dedicated and three priests and three soldiers stay as Alonso de Leon returns to Mexico.
October 1690: Santisimo Nombre de Maria is founded a few miles away. It is the second Texas Mission but short lived.
Winter 1690 to Summer 1691: Epidemic and drought. An expedition reaches the Mission and is warned to take the missionaries away.
Winter 1691-92: The expedition returns to Mexico, taking Mission livestock and leaving a replacement priest and nine soldiers.
Summer 1692: Drought and cattle die.
Spring 1693: Floor destroys Santisimo Nombre de Maria.
Summer 1693: More drought and relief expedition arrive just in time.
Fal 1693: Missionaries warned to leave. The Mission is abandoned October 25, 1693. Buildings are burned, bells and canon are buried.

The actual site is probably a few miles from the State Park that contains a replica.

Address and Directions

Highway 21
near Weches, between Crockett and Nacogdoches.
East Texas.
Park reservations: 512-389-8900

Photography Gallery

Front of recreated church.

Interior of recreated church.

Information Kiosk.

Historic marker.


Exterior front of reproduction wooden church.


Imterior of reproduction wooden church.


Imterior of reproduction wooden church.

Exterior back of church.

This may be a remnant of Camino Real.

Sources:

Support this Web Site
This web site started because of my love for the Spanish Missions in the United States. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. I don't allow paid advertising. This site is supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven' been many this year. I sell art at www.klimages.com. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...

Or, donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page.

Or buy Gold Canyon Products from my wife at www.valleygirlcandles.com or art by myself at www.klimages.com.

This site began as a light hearted alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.

Note: This is not the official site for any of the places shown in Places Earth. Places Earth is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, exhibits, and sometimes locations are subject to change without notice.

Support this Web Site This web site started because of my love for Architecture and interest in History. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. I don't allow paid advertising. This site is supported primarily from my regular paycheck as a Set Designer and there haven' been many this year. I sell art at www.klimages.com. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ...
	Or donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page.

Or buy art by myself at www.klimages.com.

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2004 - 2012, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

This site is a non-commercial alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.