The Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio is seeking proposals for bids for an exhibit it is creating that is focused on Spanish, Mexican, Tejano, and Canary Islander influences in Texas, and the central theme to link it all is El Camino Real de los Tejas NHT.  Please see this link for more information on the bidding process. 

Preservation Texas did an article on our association in their most recent newsletter.  Please click this link for more information.

Please see this link for more information about the Sale on the Trail taking place from Crockett, Texas to Natchitoches, Louisiana.

Please click this link for El Correo - Vol. IV, No. 2.

On March 15, 2013, association president, Dr. Lucile Estell was honored with the Historic Preservation Medal by the Daughters of the American Revolution.  It is the highest honor that the DAR can give for a person’s work toward historic preservation.  The honor was bestowed on Dr. Estell because of her extensive work on El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail, her authoring books on Rockdale and Marshall, Texas, serving with the Milam County Historic Commission, and much more.  Congratulations, Lucile!  You make us proud!

Los Adaes:  A Stop along the Underground Railroad

by

Rolonda Teal, MA

Introduction

Louisiana historian Gwendolyn Midlo Hall clearly identifies the route from New Orleans to Natchitoches and then to Los Adaes as an 18th century route for enslaved people seeking their freedom in her book Africans in Colonial Louisiana:

“Slaves escaping from New Orleans sometimes headed up the Mississippi River into the Red River and thence to Natchitoches, a French military post on the Red River near Spanish territory. Natchitoches to Adayes, a Spanish military post on the Red River in what is now Texas, was an established [slave] escape route” (Hall 1992:148).(1)

Richard Glafiro Santos (January 13, 1940 - February 22, 2013)
   
     Richard Glafiro Santos, age 73 of Pearsall, Texas passed away Friday, February 22, 2013 at his residence.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Alvino and Juana (Almeida) Santos.

Please see this link for information about the premier of the forthcoming film, Texas Before the Alamo.

Hello everyone,

We would like to inform you that Richard G. Santos, Spanish Colonial Historian, long-time Camino Real advocate, and Vice-President of the Camino Association has passed away on Friday night, 02/22/13.

We wish to send our thoughts and prayers to his wife Sally and all his family, friends, and loved ones. Richard was a good man with a true passion for his work. He will be greatly missed and we thank him for everything he has done not only for the trail, but for the greater understanding of Spanish Colonial History in Texas and the Southwest. Thank you, Richard!

Association representatives will be in Washington, DC for the Partnership for the National Trails System meeting and the 4th Annual Hike on the National Mall.  Please check our Facebook page for updates.