Martin-Castillo Expedition

The pearls Martin and Castillo brought back drew a second, larger expedition. In 1654 the viceroy put Diego de Guadalajara in charge, and he left Santa Fe with thirty soldiers and some 200 Indian allies along the earlier route to the Concho. The Jumanos warned him that the peoples beyond were at war and would not receive the Spaniards. A scouting party under Andres Lopez pushed seventy-five miles east, was attacked by the Cuitao, defeated them and took 200 captives and many skins. The expedition, not equipped to keep fighting, turned back to Santa Fe.

What the plaque says

Martin-Castillo Expedition Explored the Concho River, 32 miles north of here, gathering information on Jumano Indians and searching for pearls, 1650. Setting out from Santa Fe, Capts. Hernan Martin and Diego Del Castillo traveled about 600 miles to the Jumano territory, where they stayed for 6 months. Further travels took them to the edge of the Texas nation, where they obtained the first information definitely about the tribe that gave Texas its name. The "discoveries" of their journey -- pearls and the Texas nation -- sparked later important Spanish expeditions to East Texas. (1970)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Alley Oop Park and Iraan Museum — 32 mi
  An oil-boom town named for Ira and Ann Yates, where the creator of the caveman comic Alley Oop once worked, and a park of giant cartoon figures beside the town museum.

More markers nearby

• John H. Reagan — steps away
• The First Bank in Big Lake — steps away
• John H. Reagan — steps away
• City of Big Lake — 1.0 mi