Tejano Talks 29 - Spanish Settlements in Mexico - (2017)

Ever since Spain founded the Texas coast in 1519, the settlement of the frontier north of the Rio Grande has been an interesting and perplexing ideal. Powerful forces would impact the exchange of land, power and culture as the Spanish settled New Spain.
The basic institutions of Tejano life and culture were forming by the 16th century and ingrained in the population by the end of the 17th century.
The result was that the Mexican-American culture in Texas had a profound influence on Texas and eventually what was to become the United States.
By the early 18th century, the Tejano culture was well established in New Spain. These images from the Tejano Monument in Austin show the transition of the culture from Spanish exploration to the Tejano ranchero and lifestyle.
Using their foundation from Spain and learning from their frontier spirit, Tejanos developed their own culture and adapted to the land by taming the frontier and establishing ranches and commercial centers.
In the 17th century, the Spaniards had established armed municipalities, presidios or forts, and missions in West Texas in the El Paso area. In 1718, the Presidio de San Antonio de Béxar and the Mission San Antonio de Valero were established in Béxar on the San Antonio.
Further down the San Antonio River was Goliad. The Goliad and Presidio La Bahía del Espíritu Santo. This would become an important military and economic settlement for the Spanish.
First named Santa Doretea by the Spaniards in the 16th century, its name was changed February 4, 1829 to Goliad. The name is an anagram derived from the last name of a Spanish missionary priest, Father Hidalgo.
While settlements were essential for commerce, it was the ranches that transformed Tejano culture and eventually that of Texas. A belt of ranches extended along much of the San Antonio River between Béxar and Goliad.
The ranchero style extended throughout New Spain and would form a link between the all regions and play a pivotal role in the American Revolution. The northern region of Tejano settlements in this period was Nacogdoches..
Life in New Spain was not easy, but the Spanish settlers who came as explorers and conquistadores and armed for warfare and determined to spread Christianity in the unknown region left their mark on the area and indeed on what was to become Texas and the United States of America.
The early Spanish settlements would lead to the formation of the Tejano Empire.