San Jose Mission National Historic Site
6519 San Jose Dr., San Antonio, TXFr. Margil placed in charge of the mission Fr. Agustin Patron and Fr. Miguel Nunez de Haro, and the latter was missionary at San Jose for 32 years, until his death in 1752.
In 1740 Fr. Nunez moved San Jose Mission to its present location -the third site occupied. It developed into one of the most successful missions and became known as the "Queen of the Missions."
The new church was started in 1768 and finished about 1782. The original sacristy with its "Rose Window" still stands today, but a part of the north wall collapsed in 1868, and in 1874 the dome and roof caved in.
In 1824 the mission was completely secularized and ceased to be a mission. The last missionary at San Jose was Fr. Jose Antonio Diaz de Leon. He was the last missionary in all of Texas, having been shot to death near Nacogdoches in 1834.
After 1840 the church of San Jose was used occasionally for religious purposes.
From 1859 to 1868 Mission San Jose was in the care of the Benedictine Fathers from Pennsylvania. It was then abandoned again until 1872, when the Holy Cross Fathers from Notre Dame, Indiana, took charge until 1888.
Sometime between 1880 and 1890 the richly carved wooden doors dis-appeared. The statues in the church had been ruined by soldiers during the revolutionary wars.
The Redemptorist Fathers were in charge of San Jose Mission from 1923 until 1931, when the Franciscan Fathers (St. Louis Province) returned after an absence of more than one hundred years.
In 1928 the tower collapsed.
In 1936 the Mission was restored and was declared a National Historical Site in 1941.
Bibliography
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1966.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Alamo, a mission in San Antonio, is perhaps the most famous historical site in Texas. It was the site of a key battle during the Texas Revolution in 1836.
During the Texas Revolution in 1836, the Battle of the Alamo took place, where a small group of Texan defenders valiantly fought against Mexican forces. Although the defenders ultimately lost, their bravery and sacrifice galvanized the Texan cause. Soon after, the Republic of Texas was established, and Bexar County was officially created in 1837, named after San Antonio de Béxar.
Bexar County played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States. It became part of the United States when Texas joined as the 28th state in 1845. The county saw significant growth with the construction of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the influx of European immigrants. In 1968, HemisFair '68 brought international attention to the county, showcasing its rich cultural heritage and attracting visitors from around the world. Today, Bexar County is known for its vibrant tourism industry, robust military presence, renowned healthcare institutions, and prestigious educational establishments.
Bexar County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Bexar County, Texas.
Pre-19th Century: The region that would become Bexar County was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Coahuiltecan and Lipan Apache.
1718: The Spanish established the Mission San Antonio de Valero, known today as the Alamo, in what is now downtown San Antonio. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization in the area.
1821: Mexico gained independence from Spain, and the region came under Mexican control.
1836: The Battle of the Alamo took place during the Texas Revolution, where a small group of Texan defenders fought against Mexican forces. Though the defenders were ultimately defeated, their resistance became a symbol of Texas independence.
1837: The Republic of Texas officially established Bexar County, naming it after San Antonio de Béxar, the former Spanish name for the area.
1845: Texas joined the United States as the 28th state.
1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Bexar County remained part of the Confederacy.
Late 19th-early 20th century: The county saw growth and development with the expansion of railroads, the establishment of military bases like Fort Sam Houston, and the arrival of European immigrants.
1968: HemisFair '68, a world's fair, was held in San Antonio, bringing national and international attention to the city and the county.