Mission Accomplished: A Little History About the City of San Antonio

If you are the least bit interested in any kind of history about the Lone Star State, the city of San Antonio will have you in awe. You may have even visited and not realized the historical significance of the place. Since the early 1700s - as America was being settled - native Mexicans and the Spanish settlers were building missions near a place called San Antonio.

The missions of San Antonio are remarkably inspiring and will fill your heart and mind with thoughts of how life was in the early 1700s here in Texas. Just seeing a few of the photos makes me want to go back and live in that time to better understand their thoughts, beliefs, and their faith.

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In the summer of 1691, on the day of Saint Anthony of Padua, the Spanish expedition came to rest by a river they affectionately called Rio San Antonio. Interestingly the city of San Antonio wasn't founded until early 1718 when its first fortified military settlement and Mission San Pedro Springs were built in a city they named San Antonio.

Today, San Antonio is known for its amazing Riverwalk through the city. Furthermore, San Antonio is most popularly known for the Alamo, an attraction that draws millions annually. However, the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park is the only United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Texas.

Personally, I believe that the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park is a bucket list item. I firmly believe every red-blooded American should visit to gain the cultural experience of a hugely transitional time in the history of this great country of ours. Devoting a weekend to the park would be eye-opening and inspiring.

The San Antonio Missions National Historic Park houses and protects a total of four 18th-century missions. Make plans to spend some time there - and take a camera.