Mission Se-ora de los Dolores de los Ais

Also known as Dolores Mission, was established 1716 by the Domingo Ramon expedition. Abandoned due to French invasion in 1719; restored in 1721 and became headquarters for Zacatecan missions in East Texas. Abandoned 1773 when Spanish evacuated all East Texas missions. Until recently, only historical markers identified the site. Today, a city park marks the location of the historic mission complete with RV campsites, tent camping, group shelters and walking trails. There is also a visitor center, an archaeological laboratory and an archival research library. The parkland stretches along both sides of Texas 147, four blocks south of the courthouse.