Presidio San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo

 (1751-1755) - A Spanish Presidio established in 1751 by Captain Felipe de Rábago y Teran near present day Rockdale, Milam County, Texas. The Presidio was abandoned as a fortification in 1755. Also known as Presidio de San Francisco Xavier.

The Spanish Period
On 30 Mar 1751, Presidio San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo was approved by the viceroy of New Spain to protect the three missions in the valley. By December 1751, 50 soldiers under the command of Captain Felipe Rabago y Teran had arrived to garrison the presidio. A conflict between Captain Rabago and the missionaries arose that led to Fray Juan Jose Ganzabal and another man being killed in 1752. Captain Rabago was implicated in the murders and all but one of the remaining friars left and most of the Indians fled.

Possibly as a sign from above after Ganzabal's death, a ball of fire appeared in the sky, encircled the presidio and exploded with the sound of a cannon. Then worst of all, the San Xavier River began to dry up, leaving stagnant pools. This condition of drought continued for several years until it became unbearable.

Rabago's uncle, Pedro de Rabago y Teran arrived at the presidio in 1754 and found the three missions in a bad state. In July 1755 he ordered, on his own initiative, the presidio and the nearby mission relocated to the San Marcos River. The two remaining missions were moved to the San Marcos River by August, 1755.

Current Status
Historical markers for the three missions are placed near the mission sites. All of the actual locations are on private property with only archeological remains.

See Also:
 * Texas Missions
 * Mission San Francisco Xavier de la Delores
 * Mission San Ildefonso
 * Mission Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria (1)

Sources:
 * , page 777.
 * , page 161.

Links:
 * North American Forts - Presidio San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo
 * Handbook of Texas - Presidio San Francisco Xavier de Gigedo
 * Milam County Archives