San Antonio was founded in 1718 as a Spanish colonial outpost

Spanish Governor Martín de Alarcón officially founded San Antonio on May 1, 1718. He set up three things near each other. First, a military fort called the presidio of San Antonio de Béxar. Second, the mission of San Antonio de Valero—now known as the Alamo. Third, the start of a civilian settlement. The area got its name in 1691. A Spanish expedition passed through and named the river for Saint Anthony of Padua.

Many Native American groups—known together as the Coahuiltecan peoples—already lived in the area. Over the following decades, they were drawn into mission life. In 1731, 56 colonists from the Canary Islands arrived. They set up San Fernando de Béxar—the first organized civil government in Texas.

Bexar County was officially created on December 20, 1836, after Texas won independence from Mexico. In the 1860s, the original Bexar County was split into 128 separate Texas counties. Much of modern Texas was once part of Bexar. For more, see bexar.org/1320 and the Texas State Historical Association's handbook at tshaonline.org.