Spanish missions in Louisiana facts for kids
The Spanish missions in Louisiana were special religious places built by Spanish missionaries. These missions were located in a large area called La Luisiana, which was part of a huge Spanish territory known as the Viceroyalty of New Spain. Today, this area includes parts of the U.S. states of Louisiana and East Texas.
The main goal of these missions was to teach the local Native American people about the Spanish way of life and the Christian religion. Missionaries hoped to create new communities where Native Americans and Spanish settlers could live together.
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Mission Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Ais
This mission was named after the Ais people, a Native American tribe that used to live in the area.
History of the Ais Mission
The Mission Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de los Ais was started between 1716 and 1717. It was part of an important journey led by Domingo Ramón and Louis Juchereau de St. Denis. This mission stopped operating in 1773. You can find its original location in San Augustine, Texas today.
Mission San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes
Mission San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes was the fifth mission built in eastern Tejas. It was also established during the 1716–1717 expedition led by Domingo Ramón and St. Denis.
Location and Purpose
This mission was built to serve the Adaes Indian village. It was located about 20 mi|km|0 west of a fort built by the French in Natchitoches, Louisiana. At that time, Spain believed the Red River was the eastern border of its territory, New Spain. However, the French thought the Sabine River was the western border of their land, La Louisiane. This difference in opinion often led to disagreements between the two countries.
Challenges and Reopening
In 1719, French soldiers attacked the mission, and it had to be left empty. But three years later, a Spanish leader named the Marquis de San Miguel de Aguayo decided to reopen it. He was the Governor of Coahuila and Tejas, which were also parts of the Viceroyalty of New Spain. The mission was rebuilt closer to the Presidio of Los Adaes, which was a Spanish military fort. Mission San Miguel de Linares de los Adaes stayed open until 1773.
