Escambe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Escambe
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Site of Escambe
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 Location in Florida
Location in the United States
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| Location | Leon County, Florida, USA |
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| Nearest city | Tallahassee, Florida |
| NRHP reference No. | 71000240 |
| Added to NRHP | May 14, 1971 |
Escambe was an important Spanish mission built a long time ago in the 1600s. It was located in what is now Florida, near the city of Tallahassee. The Spanish built these missions to explore and settle new lands. They also wanted to teach Christianity to the Native American people living there, like the Timucuan and Apalachee tribes. Escambe was destroyed in 1704 by Creek Indians and people from South Carolina.
What Was Escambe?
Escambe was also known by other names, like San Cosme y San Damián de Cupaica. It was a Franciscan mission. Franciscan friars were a type of priest who worked to spread their religion. The mission was built in the 17th century, which means the 1600s. It was about three miles northwest of where Tallahassee is today.
The Spanish built missions like Escambe to help them settle new areas. They also wanted to convert the local Native American people to Christianity. The mission lasted for many years. It was finally destroyed in 1704. Today, the place where the mission once stood is a special historical site. It was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on May 14, 1971.
Early Days of the Mission
The mission of San Damián de Cupaica, or Escambe, was started in 1639. It was the third Spanish mission built in the Apalachee Province. This area was home to the Apalachee people. The Spanish worked with the Apalachee to build and run these missions.
The Mission's End
In January 1704, a man named James Moore led an attack on the Apalachee Province. This event is sometimes called the Apalachee massacre. San Damián de Cupaica survived this first attack. However, in June 1704, Creek warriors captured the mission.
Later that same year, the Spanish left their main base in the area, San Luis de Talimali. This left all of the Apalachee Province unprotected. Because of this, the people living at Cupaica joined other Apalachees, Chactatos, and Yemassees. They all moved to the area near Pensacola, Florida.
Escambe's Legacy
Years later, in 1741, a new mission was built. It was named San Joseph de Escambe. This new mission was located in the community of Molino, Florida. This area is along the Escambia River, north of Pensacola. The name of this later mission helped give its name to the river. It also gave its name to Escambia County, Florida.
