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San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Besides the Alamo, the Spanish constructed other
missions in San Antonio to convert the Indians to Catholicism and
to stake a claim on the lands to which Spain's rival France was
showing little interest. Each of the San Antonio missions sprang
up near the river, which supplied water by means of an acequia or
aqueduct for drinking and crop irrigation.
While the Alamo is fascinating for its historic
story, visiting the missions park is a better way to get a picture
of historic use of these forts. Once these missions covered many
acres, land that was irrigated with an acequia or aqueduct fed by
the San Antonio River. Today one historic purpose of each mission,
from religious to agricultural, is showcased at each mission.
When planning your visit, remember that these are
active parish churches (unlike the Alamo). Services are conducted
every Sunday, and respectful visitors are welcome. Mission San Juan
has a Mariachi Mass every Sunday at noon; it is very popular with
visitors.
The Mission Trail
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TexasTripper Travel Tip
For your tour of the missions, be sure that
you wear some type of sturdy walking shoes. All the sites
have irregular staircases and stone walkways that are especially
slippery on rainy days.
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The chain of 17th century structures begins
at Mission Concepcion,
a site that today illustrates religious life in the missions. This
site is tucked into a residential neighborhood, a quiet place far
different from the bustling Alamo area. Concepción (pronounced
"con-cep-see-OWN") was moved here in 1730. Its full name
is a mouthful: Mission of Nuestra Señora de la Purisma Concepción
de Acuna.
Mission
San Jose was once called the "Queen of the Texas Missions"
and is used for a weekly Mariachi Mass, a festive service which
welcomes any denomination.
Mission
San Juan Capistrano, once completely self-sustaining, today
illustrates "The Mission as a Economic Center."
Mission
Espada recalls vocational education at the missions through
exhibits.
Directions:
Getting to the San Antonio Missions National
Historical Park can be a little tricky (even the National Park Service
brochure warns that "the route that connects the four missions
can be confusing for visitors"). The way is marked with brown
park signs, but it twists and turns between residential neighborhoods
and parks. Further, during heavy rains, two low-water crossings
are closed, necessitating an alternate route. The free brochure
from the National Park Service outlines both the traditional Mission
Trail as well as alternate routes to take during inclement weather.
To reach Mission Concepción, the first
stop for most travelers, travel south on South St. Mary's; the road
turns into Roosevelt Avenue. Turn right on Lone Star Boulevard and
continue to Mission Road. Mission Concepción is located south
of the I-10 overpass.
The drive from downtown to the Mission Concepción
takes about 15 minutes.
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