Spanish Exploration

  • Christopher Columbus sets sail to the Indies
    Aug 3, 1492

    Christopher Columbus sets sail to the Indies

    On this day 523 years ago, Christopher Columbus set sail to try to find a quicker way to India, by sailing West. He was looking for gold, riches, and spices.
  • Cortes Voyage
    Jan 1, 1519

    Cortes Voyage

    In 1519, Cortes sailed to Mexico for Spain. He encountered the Aztec Empire and later conquered them. He destroyed the huge city, Tenochtitlan, and built a new city over it. He found 99 tons of gold, and that lead to further expedition throughout Texas.
  • Pineda's Voyage
    Jan 1, 1519

    Pineda's Voyage

    In 1519, Pineda mapped the Gulf Coast. Explorers later saw the map and followed along the coast in order to find Gold. This lead further expedition to Texas.
  • De Vaca's Voyage
    Jan 1, 1528

    De Vaca's Voyage

    De Vaca and his leader Narveaz were sent on an expedition to Florida to Mexico for Spain. One day the boats thought they were all dead, so they sailed back to what is now present day Cuba.
  • De Vaca Discovers Texas
    Nov 6, 1528

    De Vaca Discovers Texas

    While he and his men were stranded in Florida, they built 5 boats in hope to sail back to Cuba. Instead of sailing south, they accidentally sailed west along the Gulf Coast. They later shipwrecked on Galveston. He was in Texas for 8 years bad he was presumed dead by the Spanish. In this span of 8 years, he encountered 3 Texas tribes, the Karankawas, Jumanos, and Coahuilitecans.
  • Fray Marcos and Esteban
    Jan 1, 1539

    Fray Marcos and Esteban

    In 1539 Fray Marcos and 300 Mexican Indians headed North from Mexico City to explore as Esteban as their leader. They wanted to explore the land North, hoping to find gold. During the expedition, Esteban and the other encountered a Zuni tribe. He was killed fore demanding women and food as a medicine man. Later that day Fray Marcos sat upon a hill and saw “gold” reflected from the Sun. He reported to the Spanish that the 7 Cities of Gold was real.
  • Coronado's Voyage
    Jan 1, 1540

    Coronado's Voyage

    When Fray Marcos reported the 7 Cities of Gold was real, Spain sent Coronado to find that city. He found out the city wasn't real, it was just an Adobe village. Then a Native American who the Spainards named Turk lead them to another Adobe village which he said was filled with gold. They later killed Turk for lying. He did discover the Palo Duro Canyon and the Grand Canyon. He gave reports back to Spain that there wasn't any gold.
  • Moscoso' Expedition
    Jan 1, 1542

    Moscoso' Expedition

    His original leader was De Soto, but he died from the flu. The Indians thought he was a god, so they couldn't bury him and they through him in the Mississippi River. They were also known to discover the Mississippi River.