TEXAS - When discussing the history of the Lone Star State, the title of the "oldest" settlement is often a subject of spirited debate. However, the historical timeline points clearly to the western corner of the state and the community of Ysleta, which is now a neighborhood within the city of El Paso. Established in 1680, it holds the title of the oldest continuous settlement in Texas.
The Founding: 1680
Ysleta's origins are dramatic, born from the chaos of the Pueblo Revolt in New Mexico.
- The Retreat: In 1680, the Pueblo tribes of New Mexico rose up against Spanish rule, driving the colonists and their indigenous allies south toward the Rio Grande.
- Corpus Christi de la Isleta: Refugees, including Spanish friars and members of the Tigua (Tiwa) tribe, settled on the south bank of the river (which later shifted, placing them on the Texas side). They established the Ysleta Mission (Misión de Corpus Christi de la Isleta del Sur) in 1680 and dedicated it in 1682. This mission remains the oldest continuously operated parish in Texas.
Indigenous Roots
While 1680 marks the establishment of the permanent mission, the region had been a passageway for indigenous peoples for thousands of years. The Tigua people, who arrived with the Spanish refugees, established the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. They have maintained their cultural identity and presence in the area for over 340 years. Today, the Tigua are a federally recognized tribe and sovereign nation, and their history is inextricably checking the box of "continuous habitation" that gives Ysleta its title.
A Technical Distinction: The Nacogdoches Claim
If you travel to East Texas, you will see signs welcoming you to Nacogdoches, the "Oldest Town in Texas."
- The Argument: Nacogdoches was originally the site of a Caddo settlement. Spanish missions were established there in 1716, but they were abandoned temporarily due to French threats. The modern town was permanently established in 1779 by Gil Y'Barbo.
- The Verdict: While Nacogdoches is the oldest town in East Texas and holds the first modern municipal government structure, Ysleta (1680) predates it by nearly a century. However, because Ysleta was eventually annexed by El Paso, Nacogdoches often retains the title of the oldest independent "town."
Settlement vs. Incorporation
Texas has a unique legal history due to its time as an independent Republic. Following the Texas Revolution, the Congress of the Republic of Texas began incorporating cities.
-
1837: In this year, several cities were officially incorporated, including Nacogdoches, San Antonio, and Houston. San Antonio, founded as a mission in 1718, served as the capital of Spanish Texas for decades, but legally incorporated under the Republic later.
Ysleta (now part of El Paso) is the oldest continuous settlement in Texas, founded in 1680 by Spanish and Tigua refugees fleeing the Pueblo Revolt. The Ysleta Mission is the oldest in the state. The town of Nacogdoches (founded 1779, with 1716 roots) is popularly known as the "Oldest Town in Texas" and claims the first Anglo-American political roots, but Ysleta holds the chronological victory.
Sources
- Texas State Historical Association. "Ysleta, Texas."
- National Park Service. "El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro."
- City of Nacogdoches. "History of the Oldest Town in Texas."
- Ysleta del Sur Pueblo. "Tribal History."
- Visit El Paso. "Mission Trail History."