Archaeological Test Excavations at Mission San Francisco De La Espada

In May, 1976, archaeological testing was carried out adjacent to the tower on the southeast corner of Mission San Francisco de la Espada (Fig. 1). The field work was conducted by an archaeological team from the Center for Archaeological Research, The University of Texas at San Antonio. Principal investigator for the project was Dr. Thomas R. Hester, Director of the Center; Research Associate Anne A. Fox was in charge of the field investigations. This research was done under the terms of State Antiquities Permit No. 112, issued to the Old, Spanish Missions Association, represented by Mr. Bernardo Fresquez, Superintendent. In recent times a large crack has formed in the east side of the tower and the surrounding wall bulges noticeably outward. The purpose of our brief investigation was to determine, if possible, the method of construction of the wall footings in order to aid in planning by architect Caroline Peterson (of Ford, Powell & Carson, Architects and Planners) for the stabilization and repair of the tower