After spending most of our time in downtown San Antonio, we headed to Mission San Jose. Just five miles south of downtown, Mission San Jose, also known as “The Queen of the Missions,” offers a glimpse into Colonial Spanish life in the New World.

Until 1821, Texas was part of Mexico, which was really part of New Spain. The Spaniards built hundreds of missions across Mexico. In San Antonio alone, missionaries built the five missions along the San Antonio River in the 1700s. These missions were connected to each other by the King’s Highway (El Camino de Real de los Tejas), which stretched from Mexico City to the Sabine River at the Texas/Louisiana border.

Founding of Mission San Jose

The Franciscans founded Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo on the east side of the river in 1719. For unknown reasons, it moved to its present site on the other side of the river around 1727. By 1758, Mission San Jose housed over 280 Native Americans and included a granary, friary, church, mill, blacksmith shop, and soldiers’ quarters. Cattle totaled 1000, and sheep totaled over 3,200. It was a large operation!