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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 Sabá - March 16, 1758 |
Just
a year after being established on the banks of the San Saba River in 1757, Mission
Santa Cruz de San Sabá 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.
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| 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 Sabá 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 TextReal
Presidio de San SabaOriginally
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
Marker Text
Arroyo
de Juan Lorenzo
Name
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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