Espada Aqueduct

Constructed in 1740, the historic Espada Aqueduct was engineered to transport water from the San Antonio River to support mission lands and surrounding crops. It notably stands out today as an active, still-operating Spanish colonial irrigation structure.

Commenters hold deep appreciation for the area's mission history and cultural roots, with several sharing ancestral ties to the sites. Visitors frequently praise the active community traditions, such as Sunday and Mariachi masses, and warmly recommend traversing the trail system connecting the grounds.