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Free Traveling Guides » States » Texas » San AntonioMissions National Historical Park
Missions National Historical Park, situated in San Antonio, Texas, was established on April 1, 1983. This National Historical Park aims at preserving four of the five Spanish frontier missions in the city. These missions were established as part of a colonization system, which extended across the Spanish Southwest in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. The Catholic religious orders formed these outposts primarily with the aim of spreading Christianity. The National Historic Park included several natural areas as well as a number of cultural sites. At present, the Archdiocese of San Antonio own and operates portions of these missions as active parishes.
The 4 missions preserved by the Park include Mission Concepcion, Mission Espada, Mission San Jose, and Mission San Juan Capistrano. Mission Nuestra Señora de la Purísima Concepción de Acuña was founded in 1716 by Franciscans friars. It has been designated as a National Historic landmark and is the best preserved of the Texas Missions. Mission Espada, situated on the Espada Road, was established in 1960. This mission was moved to San Antonio in 1713 and was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. Mission San Jose, situated at San Jose Drive, was established in 1720 and was designated as the San Jose Mission National Historic Site in 1941. Founded by Father Antonio Margil de Jesus, Mission San Jose was listed on the National Register in 1966. Mission San Juan Capistrano, situated on Mission Road, San Juan, was founded in 1716 and was included in the National Register in 1972.
The Missions National Historic Park also incorporates a number of sites and various tracts of land that are interconnected by the famous Mission Trail. This scenic trail is a 12 mile (19.3 km) route, which connects The Alamo with Mission Espada. However, the Park does not offer campsites and free overnight parking anywhere nearby owing to its city location. The only few hotels near Mission Espada include Comfort Inn & Suites at Braunig Lake, Best Western Shetland Inn & Suites, and Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites San Antonio-South.
- Address: 2202 Roosevelt Avenue,
San Antonio, TX 78210
- Telephone: (210) 932-1001
- Hours: Open 9 AM - 5 PM daily. Closed Thanksgiving Day, December 25, and January 1.
- Website: www.nps.gov/saan
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