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Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda maps Texas coastline

Jan 1, 1519

It takes Alonso Alverez de Pineda almost half a year to explore and map the Texas Coastline. This event takes place in mid 1519. This date is not the exact date the event takes place.

Texas

Period: Apr 1, 1519 to Dec 31, 1810

Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

Jan 1, 1528

Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca shipwrecked near Galveston begin exploration.

rancisco Vázquez de Coronado

Jan 1, 1541

Francisco Vázquez de Coronado crosses the Texas Panhandle in search of in search of the seven cities of Cibola.

Coronado

Jan 1, 1554

Coronado dies. He is one of the first white men to explore Texas, and leader of one of 20 Spanish explorations of the area.

Thanksgiving

Apr 30, 1598

Thanksgiving is held near present-day El Paso by Juan de Oñate, the members of his expedition and natives of the region.

Jumano Indians

Jan 1, 1629

Jumano Indians requested Spanish missionaries from New Mexico to travel to the vicinity of present-day San Angelo and instruct the Jumanos about Christianity.

Corpus Christi de la Isleta

Jan 1, 1682

First Spanish mission, Corpus Christi de la Isleta, is established a few miles from present-day El Paso.

Rene-Robert Cavelier

Feb 16, 1685

French explorer Rene-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, looking for the mouth of the Mississippi River, lands in Texas by mistake. He establishes a colony, Fort St. Louis, on Garcitas Creek in present-day Victoria County.

La Salle

Mar 19, 1687

La Salle is killed by several of his own men at an unknown East Texas location.

Fort St. Louis

Jan 15, 1688

Colonists at  Fort St. Louis not felled by Indians, disease, poisonous snakes and malnutrition are finished off by Karankawa Indians

Spanish Gen. Alonso de León's

Apr 2, 1689

Spanish Gen. Alonso de León's expedition finds the remains of Fort St. Louis. Fearing French intentions to lay claim to Spanish territory, the Spanish begin establishing missions and settlements in East Texas.

First East Texas mission

Jan 1, 1690

First East Texas mission under construction, San Francisco de los Tejas, near present-day Weches, Houston Co. The mission is closed in 1693.

Catholic missions

Jan 1, 1716

Throughout the 18th Century, Spain established Catholic missions in Texas, and the towns of San Antonio, Goliad and Nacogdoches.

Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Tejas

Jun 25, 1716

Spanish build a presidio, Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Tejas, to protect the East Texas missions.

San Antonio de Valero

May 1, 1718

San Antonio de Valero mission, known as the Alamo was the chapel, is founded in San Antonio.

San José y San Miguel de Aguayo

Feb 15, 1720

San José y San Miguel de Aguayo mission founded near San Antonio de Valero.

San Fernando de Béxar

Mar 7, 1731

55e Canary Islanders arrive in San Antonio to establish a civilian settlement, San Fernando de Béxar

Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuna, San Francisco de la Espada and San Juan Capistrano

Jul 15, 1731

3 East Texas missions moved to San Antonio because of economic troubles, and named Nuestra Señora de la Purisima Concepción de Acuna, San Francisco de la Espada and San Juan Capistrano

San Fernando

Aug 1, 1731

First election held in Texas, voters choose officials of the municipal government of San Fernando

San Antonio

Jun 15, 1745

Missions at San Antonio are producing thousands of pounds of cotton annually.

Santa Cruz de San Sabá

Mar 16, 1758

• Santa Cruz de San Sabá mission near present-day Menard destroyed and eight residents killed by Comanches and their allies.