Texas

Established along Native American trails, Ranchería Grande was a diverse settlement of 23 Indigenous nations when Spanish explorers first encountered it in the 18th century. This joint settlement pooled resources for subsistence and defense, while also serving as a refuge for Native peoples fleeing Spanish missions. The 2.2 mile loop walk takes you through the rolling Post Oak Savannah hills of Central Texas. Visit cedarhillnaturepreserve.com/home to schedule a walk.

Mission Espada was the first mission in Texas, founded in 1690 as San Francisco de los Tejas near present-day Weches, Texas. In 1731, the mission was relocated to the San Antonio River area and renamed Mission San Francisco de la Espada. Explore the mission grounds, church, and museum.

Construction of the acequia at Mission San Antonio de Valero began in 1719. The source of the acequia was the San Antonio River near the ford of the Paso de Tejas. Here water was rerouted from the river by means of a diversion dam that extended into the stream from its western bank. The acequia served to raise and direct the flow of water toward the eastern bank to a canal intake. The acequia remained in use until 1912.

The Bastrop Museum has exhibits and information about El Camino Real de los Tejas and the history of the local area.

Explore a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the growth of cattle ranching in the Mexican period, and the movement for Texan independence and statehood. El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT is administered by the National Trails Office Regions 6|7|8 in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

This museum showcases the region's history, culture, industry, and populations through a series of changing exhibits and educational seminars.

Mission Dolores was a Spanish mission built in 1721. The site imparts significant history about the American Indian experience with Texas’ earliest European settlers. Although there are no historic above-ground remains, the mission is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and is a designated State Antiquities Landmark.

These sites commemorate two distinct, but equally important, eras of Texas history: the struggle for independence from Mexico, and the wave of German immigration that changed the state's demographics forever.

Begin your trip to Nacogdoches with a visit to the Charles Bright Visitor Center located in Plaza Principal in the historic downtown district. You will find a staff to assist you during your stay along with maps, information and valuable insight into the historic community. The center is located along the historic route of El Camino Real de Los Tejas.

Fort Boggy gives visitors a taste of frontier life during the Mexican period. The fort consisted of two small blockhouses (fortified buildings that usually include ports for firing outwards) and eleven dwellings inside an area just less than one square mile.