Juan de Padilla

Front - Self Sacrifice of Padre Fray Juan De Padilla - 1544; Back - Built to the glorious and perpetual memory of Father Fray Juan De Padilla, O.F.M. Franciscan Missionary, first martyr for Christianity in the United States and in Texas; Accompanied the Coronado Expedition to Palo Duro Canyon. Went with Francisco Vasquez de Coronado and his chosen party in search of La Gran Quivira; Returned soon and began his zealous labors for the civilizing and Christianizing of the Wichita and other Indian nations in the region of the Texas Panhandle; His martyrdom occurred in 1544; Erected jointly by the State of Texas and the Texas Knights of Columbus in 1936

Juan de Padilla is a historical marker in Amarillo, Potter County, dedicated in 1936. It is one of 49 historical markers documented in Potter County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 73 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 35.2040, -101.8478 near Amarillo. The nearest cataloged historic site is Saint Mary's Academy (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include The H.B. Sanborn House, Central Presbyterian Church, and Kouns--Jackson House.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5375002873. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.