From the 17th to the 19th century Spanish missionaries attempted to spread Catholicism and convert the locals living in the American Southwest. These missionaries developed religious outposts in what is currently the San Antonio area of Texas. The frontier missions not only sought to spread the word of God, but were established as a network of colonial stations along the San Antonio River.

Today, the San Antonio Missions National Park is opened to visitors who are curious about this interesting period in American history. The Missions National Park was established in 1975. There are four examples of Spanish frontier missions in the San Antonio Missions Park. Each architectural site has been maintained by local historians. Located along the San Antonio River, Mission Espada was built in 1690. This is followed by Mission San Juan, San Jose, and Concepcion. The Alamo, which is also a mission, is not part of the San Antonio Missions Park. It is owned by the state of Texas. The missions are stone structures and pinnacle examples of Spanish architecture from that time period. It is curious to think how the natives would have reacted at the time. The missions are definitive landmarks of America-s varied past.