Vásquez's attack on North American Natives
1540-1542
Starting in Mexico, Francisco Vásquez de Coronado entered what is now the United States near the bend at the bottom edge of Arizona. Coronado along with around 100 men* headed north ahead of the others. Encountering several villages of small and medium size, Coronado was sure Cibola existed further north. Reaching the pueblo villages of Hawikuh and Halona (now Zuni, New Mexico), Coronado felt the Cibola he searched for had been found. The people resisted and fought back with fervor. Undaunted, Coronado's army powered with crossbows proved their superiority over the bow and arrow, continuing to fight until he overpowered the village. In the aftermath, the gold he sought was not there.
Based on rumors of the riches at the Kingdom of Tequayo, Coronado followed the Rio Grande to the east. Instead of a kingdom, Coronado found the mud villages of the Tewa natives. Frustrated by not discovering the riches he hoped for, Coronado camped out while sending out excursions in all directions. To the north, Cicuye To the south, Albuquerque. Areas around Albuquerque and as far as the Grand Canyon were searched for the fabled riches without luck.
To the northeast of Albuquerque, Coronado came to the Kuauna pueblo near Bernalillo, a pueblo village having more than 1,100 rooms. Angered by resistance, Coronado killed and took prisoners. Still no riches.
Survivors hid waiting for Coronado to leave the area. It is said that around this time, one of the prisoners let it be known that he knew of a place where the riches did exist called Quivara Some speculate it was a plot to lead Coronado away.
The expedition entered Texas to the pueblo of Floydada, where another battle ensued. At the end of the battle, still no gold. At this point, Coronado was frustrated, his troops tired. It was clear that 2,000 troops weren't needed to overcome such small odds. All but around 30 were sent back to Mexico as Coronado, the prisoner, and the others headed north, theoretically now in search of Quivara.
The exploration crossed over into Oklahoma approximately at the north east corner of the top of the rectangle, continuing north over the thin strip of Oklahoma into Kansas.
After entering into Kansas, Coronado visited the area's around Liberal, and on to Lyons without any gold or riches.
The prisoner's fabled Quivira story was looking thin. His purpose served and seeing the end, he admitted the charade and paid the ultimate price.
Coronado traveled further to verify the rumors were in prophecy only before returning back along an almost identical path back into Mexico. It has been speculated that Coronado may have reached Nebraska, however there is little evidence to support the claims. Coronado's steps were traceable, the exploration left evidence all along the way. At every battle encounter, the evidence continues to be uncovered 490 years later.
In the end, Coronado's encounters were no different than his predecessors in the southwest. Even though the mountain of gold was not discovered, the golden Midwest was.
Both Liberal and Lyons, Kansas have Coronado museums.
Coronado National Memorial in Arizona
Coronado
State Memorial in New Mexico
