San Augustine

This museum tells the story of Mission Dolores, a Spanish mission built in 1721 near the site of an earlier mission built in 1718 (this first mission was abandoned due to fears of French troops advancing on east Texas). This was one of several missions and presidios built in east Texas along the El Camino Real de los Tejas to advance Spanish claims on the land and part of an attempt to convert the Ais and Caddo peoples to Roman Catholicism. Though the mission itself was abandoned in the late 18th century, archaeological evidence has revealed its location and evidence of trade and relations between the Spanish, French, and Ais people. The museum interprets the story of Mission Dolores as a cultural crossroads in east Texas and one of the few existing sites along the Deep East Texas portion of the El Camino Real.

One of the largest concentrations of swales (deep ruts from wagon wheels) in Texas along the El Camino Real de los Tejas. 18 foot tall swales in places, with a quarter-mile (2/5 km) hiking trail that goes around the swales. Educational panels at the start of the trail.