Tonkawa Bank (Vista of Mission Espiritu Santo)

Historical marker location:

McCright Dr. in Riverside City Park, across from baseball field, Victoria, Texas

( City Park (Riverside), McCright Drive, Victoria; (Across from baseball field))

Marker installed: 1970

Campsite for Franciscans from Mission Espiritu Santo (La Bahia) bringing Christian teachings to Indians associated with Mission. Tonkawas and other tribes were in locality when first visited by the Spaniards, 1689. Indians were sought as converts after Mission was founded in 1722. In turn, converts became Mission's "cowboys"--herding horses and stock. Although nomadic, they left many occupational sites. Stone footings nearby indicate permanent structure for padres' use. Tonkawas were here in Anglo-American colonization era, 1800s. (1970).

Spanish immigrants immigration missions Native American