When Francisco Coronado encountered the Lipans, he was greatly impressed by their intelligence and creativity. He thought that they were too nomadic and recommended that missions be built for them. It was not until 1755, however, that a short-lived mission was established for the Lipans in Mexico. Undaunted by the failure of the first missions, Father Alonso Giraldo de Terreros established the first Apache mission in Texas in 1757. This mission was called Santa Cruz de San Saba and was located on the San Saba River above present-day Menard, Texas. Santa Cruz de San Saba was destroyed by Comanches in 1758. Two attempts were made to establish Apache missions on the upper Nueces River, but they attracted only a few Apaches, and both had closed their doors by 1767. There are some Lipan Apache pictographs in a cave in Menard County; the Lipans who created them were obviously cognizant of the missions (see illustrations 2 and 3).

Illustration 2-Pictograph of a mission,
probably inpired by the San Saba Mission.

Illustration 3-Pictograph of devil with a pitchfork,
probably inspired by religion taught at San Saba Mission.

Roles

Food

Fashion

Shelter

Introduction

What Became of the Lipan Apaches

References