During the 18th century, the Spanish established a chain of missions along the San Antonio River.  These missions became the foundation for the city of San Antonio.  Mission San Jose y San Miguel de Aguayo, due to its stunning architecture and opulence, is known as the "Queen of the Missions" and was constructed of native limestone between 1768 and 1782.  Like all missions, it was primarily a religious center where the Coahuiltecan Indian population was instructed in the Catholic religion and taught European beliefs.

The church has two domes, a tower, and an elaborate Baroque facade, as well as an intricately carved Rose window on the side.  Because the site has maintained its structural integrity and appears today much the same as it did 270 years ago, "the Queen" name remains appropriate. 

The mission compound consisted of several buildings, including quarters for the native inhabitants, a mill and a granary.  A heavy outer wall surrounded the main part of the mission, containing rooms built into the wall for 350 Indians.

The mission lands were given to the Indians in 1794, and mission activities ended in 1824.  After that, the buildings were home to soldiers, the homeless, and bandits.  The area was restored in the 1920s and is now part of the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park.