TEXAS IN 1776: Saturday, July 4

  A special program exploring Texas history 250 years ago, when the United States was forming this area was part of New Spain, is scheduled on Saturday, July 4.

  Pioneer Farms Board of Governors member Teresa Marie Ramirez Castillo, whose family history traces back to Spain and conquistadores, will lead this special presentation that begins about 10:30 a.m..

  The Spanish Colonial era of Texas — from 1519 to 1821 — was defined by Spain's attempts to secure its northern frontier against French incursion through a network of missions and presidios. Though Spain claimed the territory for centuries, their actual footprint remained small, limited mostly to San Antonio, Goliad and Nacogdoches.

  After gaining independence from Spain in 1821, Mexico controlled Texas, encouraged Anglo-American settlement, and eventually lost the territory following the Texas Revolution in 1836 and the Mexican-American War.

Teresa’s family history showcases live in Texas under Spanish rule, at a time when the United States was just forming. Her great-great-great grandfather, Antonio Garcia, received a land grant of 1,592.23 acres from King Carlos of Spain on May 29, 1768. It was in an area called Casas Blancas, near present-day Roma in Starr County.

Beginning in 1749, more than 20 villa or towns were founded along the Rio Grande River in what is now South Texas. Spanish officials encouraged settlers to move into the area, and familites that received land grants were hand picked and included soldiers to help protect the new arrivals from Native American attacks. Most of the families came from Quertero, Saltillo, La Nueva Garcia and Nuevo Leon to the south, and from the Basque Country of Spain.

More details of these early settlements and life in New Spain will be explored in this fascinating, history-filled presentation on Saturday, July 4.

Thanks to the Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Bratcher Jr. Foundation, Sally and Michael Ward, Rosemary Morrow, Emma Lea Mayton, Lynne Dobson and Greg Wooldridge and Moon Valley Nurseries for their support of this special program.

Pioneer Farms is developing a Tejano history site to showcase this important part of Texas’ history. To see the details of this new site, and make a contribution to support its construction, click here.