Los Adaes

At the Edge of an EmpireThe Spanish FrontierFrench LouisianaThe CaddoFrom Mission to CapitalFrom Mission to CapitalA Spanish expedition went to northeastern New Spain in 1716 to establish missions and forts (presidios). At the request of the Adaes Indians, Father Margil built the first Los Adaes mission. It was San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes, named for St. Michael, the archangel, and the Duke of Linares, the Viceroy of New Spain. French soldiers from Natchitoches attacked the first Los Adaes mission in 1719, forcing its closing. Two years later, Spain built a new mission in another location less than two miles east of the earlier one. A presidio was also built, and it served as the capital of the Province of Texas from 1729 to 1770. The presidio was called Nuestra Señora del Pilar de los Adaes. Today, the name Los Adaes refers to both the mission and the presidio.Images1720 architect's plan for the presidio at Los AdaesWrought iron nailsLearn MoreThe Chicken WarIn 1719, France and...