Big Bay Gelding

Historical affiliations Spanish Empire 1769–1821 Mexican Empire 1821–1823 United Mexican States 1823–1836 Republic of Texas 1836–1846 United States of America 1846–1861 Confederate States of America 1861–1865 United States of America 1865–present At the time of European encounter, Payaya Indians lived near the San Antonio River Valley in the San Pedro Springs area. They called the vicinity Yanaguana , meaning "refreshing waters". In 1691, a group of Spanish explorers and missionaries came upon the river and Payaya settlement on June 13, the feast day of St. Anthony of Padua. They named the place and river "San Antonio" in his honor.