Mission San José Mill (Part of the Acequia System)

Bexar County

Mission San José, San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, San Antonio, Texas

History

Text from the m arker shown below: The mill at Mission San José was the first in Texas. Built about 1794, it was part of the effort to add wheat to the traditional Indian diet based on maize. The mill also produced flour for surrounding settlements, and therefore helped established Mission San José as an important part of the growing San Antonio community. Water from the acequia flowed through a wooden chute and turned the horizontal wheel of the mill in the lower vault. A drive shaft turned the grindstone in the room above.

 

 

Photos by Jane Thurmond.

© 2003 Historic Bridge Foundation.