European Explorers

That Impacted Texas

Hernn Cortez

Date: 1519
Country: Spain
Where: Mexico
Explored and conquered the natives
of Mexico.
First European to explore Central
America
Recovered vast wealth in gold and silver
Catalyst for future exploration of
the Americas

Alonso Alvarez de Pineda

Date: 1519
Country: Spain
Gulf of Mexico coast
First person to map the
coastline of Texas
Explored and mapped the Gulf coast
from Florida to Texas.

Alvar Cabeza de Vaca

Date: 1528-1536
Country: Spain
Where: Texas
First European to explore Texas
Lived among the Karankawa
Adapted to Native American culture
First the see Bison
Urged restraint in dealing with natives

Francisco Vzquez de
Coronado
Date: 1540-1541
Country: Spain
Where: areas now known as
Arizona, New Mexico, N. Texas, &
Kansas
Searched for cities of Cbola &
Quivira
Search was a failure
Continued north in search of treasure

Sieur de La Salle

Date: 1681-1682, 1685

Country: France
Where: Mississippi River
He explored the Mississippi River
from the Ohio River to the Gulf of
Mexico.
Claimed Louisiana for France
Returned for 2nd expedition, got lost &
landed in Matagorda Bay, Texas
First French colony named Fort St. Loius

Sieur de La Salles
Journey