|
|
|
 |
Francisco Vasquez de Coronado
Spanish Explorer & Conqustador
 Coronado arrived in New
Spain in 1535 and quickly became governor of all it’s provinces about 4
years later. While serving as Governor, he became enthralled in the
stories of Vasco de Gama’s explorations and the rumors of the riches to
be found on the provinces northeast of his province in the legendary
Seven Cities of Cibola.In 1540, Coronado was chosen to lead an expedition into that area, while
a fleet commanded by Hernando de Alarcon kept pace with him along the
coast. (In the same year, Alarcon discovered the mouth of the Colorado
River while sailing up the Gulf of California.) Coronado explored a very
large area and found Zuni Indian pueblos, but no treasure was ever
found. One of his search parties he dispatched discovered the Grand
Canyon and the Colorado River.Coronado expedition spent time in the region of Sante Fe, New Mexico,
crossed the Rio Grande River into northern Texas, and then crossed the
Canadian and Arkansas Rivers into Wichita, Kansas. Although the group
failed to find any great riches, Coronado’s travel accounts were later
considered valuable for the information about the Southwest during that
period.The expedition was ultimately deemed a failure, and the members returned
to Mexico, where Coronado was summarily relieved as Governor. Retired,
Coronado lived in Mexico City until his death. |
Click on the Piece of Eight to return to the Main Page
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
