Founded in 1724 by Franciscans, it was moved to the area by the Marquess de Valero, Viceroy of New Spain. On 10 April, 1794 all the Texas missions were secularized by Don Pedro de Nava, commandant-general of the north-eastern interior provinces. On February 23, 1836, General Antonio López de Santa Anna marched against the Texas rebellion and took the Alamo, who was defended by Texan militia who was badly outnumbered but defended themselfes despite it.

Originally founded in 1716 and build in Spanish colonial architecture. It was named in honor of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception and Juan de Acuña, the Marqués de Casafuerte. The Marqués was Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) when the mission transferred to the San Antonio River area.

This mission was founded in the early eighteenth century as a result of a shift of missionary effort from East Texas to South Texas. In 1719 war between France and Spain resulted in the temporary withdrawal of Spanish missionaries from the East Texas missions.

San Antonio was the largest city in Texas. It was the capital of the Spanish province at the days of the Franciscan missions. The Espada Acequia has run almost continously since its conception in the mid-1700s.

Founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas, this was the first mission in Texas. In 1731, the mission transferred to the San Antonio River area and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. A friary was built in 1745, and the church was completed in 1756.