The Das Leben family has selected the Texas and Louisiana area for their initial projects because of the long rich history in the region. Even before the “six flags” flew over this area, it was inhabited by the Paleo-Indians over 8,000 years ago. They were followed by the Pre-Caddoan tribes in East Texas and the Caddoes. The area was also later inhabited by the Apache and Comanche.
SIX FLAGS OF TEXAS TIMELINE
Spain
1519-1685
(Spain: 1690-1821)
France
1685-1690
Mexico
1821-1836
Republic of Texas
1836-1845
State of Texas
1845-1861;
1865-present
Confederate States of America
1861-1865
United States
1845-1861
United States
of America:
1865-present
The first European flag in the region was the Spanish flag. In 1519, Capt. Alsonso Alvarez de Pineda, then serving the as governor of Jamaica, mapped coastal Texas. He was followed in the 1530s by Cabeza de Vaca, who explored Texas after he was shipwrecked on the Gulf Coast. Francisco Vazquez de Coronado came in 1540, when he was commissioned to explore the American Southwest. There were several other Spanish expeditions until 1681-82, when the first Texas settlement was established: El Paso, which became the “oldest European community in Texas.”
Texas eventually came under French rule, reverted to Spanish rule, and became part of Mexico when that country gained its independence from Spain. Texas became an independent entity from Mexico in 1836, and joined the United States of America in 1845. It was part of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
As part of our mission, the Das Leben Foundation strives to preserve the rich history of the region’s mixed cultures and varied heritage.