Who built the missions?

Tumacacori Mission

   Scattered over southwestern United States there are a number of old Spanish missions. They all look much like those in the pictures. These missions were built over 200 years ago by Catholic priests.
   Places for the missions were chosen carefully. They were built in spots with good soil and plenty of water for irrigation. Soon each mission was the center of olive and orange orchards and fields of grain. The buildings had thick white walls and small Windows. The roofs were of red tile. The buildings suited a hot, dry climate well. Many houses in the southwest today are built in the same style.
   When the missions were founded, there were almost no white people in the region. But there were many Indians. The Spanish priests invited the Indians to worship with them. They also taught the Indians how to build better houses and how to make beautiful things of leather and silver. Once in a while at a mission there was a cheerful fiesta.
   The great days of the missions ended in 1822. The region was not yet a part of the United States. The Spanish priests were driven away by the Mexicans. The mission fields and some of the buildings were allowed to go to ruin. But some of the build­ings still stand. They are being well cared for today.

San Esteban Mission