Page 23 - Plano, TX Heritage Preservation Plan

SPANISH EXPLORERS
(ca. 1517-1535)

After the Columbian discovery of North
America in 1492, Spanish explorers such McBAIN
as Cabeza de Vaca became the first
Europeans to venture through Texas. JAMESON
Although the area would be claimed The first known settler of Plano
by Spain for over three centuries, Texas establishes a farmstead north of
was sparsely settled by the Spanish and present-day Downtown.
largely ignored until the late 1600s.

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE (1810-1821)
Following Mexican independence from Spain,
the area of Plano was claimed under Mexican rule.

SAN ANTONIO FOUNDED (1718)

1600 1700 1800 1840

FRENCH COLONIZATION (1684-1689)
In 1684, a French expedition bound to establish a settlement on the
Mississippi River found themselves instead along the Matagorda Bay in
Texas. After learning of this new settlement, Spanish troops were sent to
find and destroy them. Although the French settlement was in ruin by the
time they were found, this sparked a renewed interest in the Texas territory THE ALAMO &
and spurred the exploration and establishment of Catholic missions. TEXAS INDEPENDENCE

Following defeat by the Mexican army at the Alamo
in San Antonio on March 6, 1936, “Remember the
NATIVE AMERICAN tribes Alamo!” became the battle cry of the Texans fighting for
independence. Less than two months later on April 21,
No evidence of Native American settlements has ever been found
in Plano. Historic campsites to the north and northeast of Plano Texas would gain its independence following the Battle of
have been attributed to Delaware, Kiowa, and Cherokees; however, San Jacinto. The Republic of Texas was formed and new
these groups were not native to the area, but were forced through settlers would soon be attracted to the area.
by westward European expansion. Attacks on early settlers were
attributed to bands of roaming Comanches who came in from the
west. Some studies suggest that the Tonkawa, Wichita, and Caddo
people settled in the area.

Residential Commercial Church Cemetery Downtown Fire

november 2018 CHapter 3: history of plano 23