Mission Espada and the Espada acequia

Mission San Francisco de la Espada (Mission Espada) was founded in the 18th century and was a community where indigenous neophytes lived, farmed, and worked under the mission system. Historical records and archaeological work document native participation in building and maintaining the mission’s agricultural infrastructure. The mission’s acequia (irrigation canal), constructed in the 18th century, remains extant and in use and is part of the San Antonio Missions historic complex. The acequia and mission are interpreted for the public as evidence of indigenous and colonial-era agricultural practices.