Mission Santa Cruz de San Sab�, Menard County, Texas. (original) (raw)
Site of Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba Centennial Marker
Located abourt three miles east of Menard on FM 2092
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
Indians Attack Mission San Sab�
- March 16, 1758
Just a year after being established on the banks of the San Saba River in 1757, Mission Santa Cruz de San Sab� was attacked by a force of 2,000 Comanche Indians and their allies. The mission of the Mission had been to convert resident Lipan Apaches to Christianity. Initially, six men were killed here, including two Franciscan Priests.
The commander of the mission�s protecting fort, the Presidio San Luis de las Amarillas, attempted to mount a campaign against the Indian force, but was defeated. The incident curtailed further Spanish expansion in Texas.
A painting of the raid on the Mission now hangs in the National Institute of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. The full title being: �The Destruction of Mission San Sab� in the Province of Texas and the Martyrdom of the Fathers Alonso Giraldo de Terreros, Joseph Santiesteban�
Site of Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
Real Presidio de San Saba
1936 Centennial Marker Text
Real Presidio de San Saba
Originally established on the San Gabriel River
as the Presidio of San Francisco Xavier
in 1751
Moved to the present site in 1757 as a protection
to the Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba
Known as the Presidio de San Luis de Las Amarillas
1757-1761.
After March 1761 the name was
Real Presidio de San Saba
the stone building was completed in 1761.
Erected by the State of Texas
1936
"In the background, behind the metal shed, is where the recently discovered Mission ruins are located"
- Barclay Gibson, February 2010 photo
Historical marker on the highway at the entrance to the Country Club
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, February 2010
Historical MarkerArroyo de Juan LorenzoName used by Spaniards of Presidio de San Saba [in existence from 1757 to 1770] for this stream now called Celery Creek.
Stone to build Presidio was quarried from bluffs along the creek, and deep banks let hostile Indians approach undiscovered to attack The Presidio half a mile to the south west.
(1964)
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