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Spanish Exploration in Texas

  • Alonso Alvarez de Pineda
    Jun 2, 1519

    Alonso Alvarez de Pineda

    Pineda's goal was to map the Texas coast and to found a colony.He was sucessful in both of these goals but, there is no record of his impact on Texas.
  • Hernan Cortes
    Dec 2, 1520

    Hernan Cortes

    Hernan Cortes never reachedTexas, so his impact on Texan history is unknown.However, Cortes overthrew the Aztec Empire by pretending he was their god, who they had predicted coming. Cortes made his expedition regardless of his orders from the Governer of Cuba.
  • First Europeans in Texas
    Nov 6, 1528

    First Europeans in Texas

    Cabeza de Vaca is shipwrecked near Galveston. He begins an incredible journey that marks the white man's first exploration of Texas.
  • Panfilo de Narvaez
    Nov 22, 1528

    Panfilo de Narvaez

    Narvaez wanted to conquer the lands between Florida and Mexico in honor of Spain. He was drowned by a late hurricane after deciding to leave, for promised supplies never came. Therefore, he has no impact on Texas.
  • Friar Marcos and Estevanico
    Aug 27, 1536

    Friar Marcos and Estevanico

    Estevanico was among the the survivors of the Narvaez expidition, and he went to Mexico with Cabeza de Vaca. Friar Marcos wanted him on the expidition, and Estevanico accepted. Thier goal was to find Cibola. They resulted in having very little impacy on Texas and Estevanico getting killed by the Zuni tribe.
  • Cabeza De Vaca
    Sep 24, 1537

    Cabeza De Vaca

    Caeza wanted to escape from the Karwankawas and go back to Mexico after he was captured by them when washed up on Galveston Island after the late hurricane that killed Narvaez. He did get back; and when he did he told his tale while also telling of cities that happened to be made of gold.
  • Hernando De Soto
    Sep 24, 1539

    Hernando De Soto

    De Soto was searching for the " Seven Cities of Ciblola", as were many others before, and after him. His impact is unknown, but he was able to explore much of the southern U.S
  • Finding of Indians
    May 23, 1541

    Finding of Indians

    Coronado gives thanks for having found friendly Indians in the Palo Duro Canyon; Texas has a Thanksgiving 79 years before the Pilgrims.
  • Coronado
    Oct 26, 1541

    Coronado

    Coronado was wanting to search for Cibola, Unfortunately, he did not suceed. Although, he did see the Grand Cayon, the Palo Duro Canyon, and Buffalo, which he had never seen before. His only impact was that he killed some Native Americans.
  • Coronado's death
    Sep 22, 1554

    Coronado's death

    Fourteen years after setting out for Texas, Coronado dies. He is one of the first white men to explore Texas, and leader of one of 20 Spanish explorations of the area.
  • Juan de Onate

    Juan de Onate

    Onate wanted to establish a colony on the north frontier. His expidition resulted in hime founding the colony of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Unfortunately, his only influence on Texas was that he captured, tortured, and enslaved native americans.
  • The Fall of Fort St. Louis

    The Fall of Fort St. Louis

    The fort, Fort St. Louis, was having a tough time getting supplies due to carrier ships wrecking while trying to find its location.Many people died there from disease and food shortages, and it everntually fell after repeated Karankawa attacks.
  • Mission San Francisco de los Tejas

    Mission San Francisco de los Tejas

    The Mission San Francisco de los Tejas is founded in east Texas.
  • Don Gregorio de Salinas Varona goes to Texas

    Don Gregorio de Salinas Varona goes to Texas

    Don Gregorio de Salinas Varona leads an expedition into Texas, and reports that the land is unsuitable for settlement; a year later Spain abandons the Texas frontier.