On May 1, 1718, San Antonio was founded along the banks of the San Antonio River. In 1691, a group of Spanish Catholic explorers and missionaries came across a small Indian settlement along the river. In honor of Saint Anthony of Padua, they named the river, and area, after him. It wasn't until 1718 that a mission was established in the area, which would later grow into the city of San Antonio. The mission, which later was named the Alamo, became famous for a battle that was fought there.