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Quickly organized, the expedition left Compostela, on Mexico's west coast, on February 23, 1540. Accompanying Coronado were Fray Marcos and several other priests, over 300 Spanish soldiers, several hundred Mexican-Indian allies, and 1,500 stock animals. Additional supplies for the expedition were sent north by ship under the command of Captain Hernando de Alarcón. After reaching Culiacán, Coronado and 100 soldiers, anxious to behold Cibola, marched swiftly ahead of the slower-moving main army. Expedition Route Map

Quickly organized, the expedition left Compostela, on Mexico's west coast, on February 23, 1540. Accompanying Coronado were Fray Marcos and several other priests, over 300 Spanish soldiers, several hundred Mexican-Indian allies, and 1,500 stock animals. Additional supplies for the expedition were sent north by ship under the command of Captain Hernando de Alarcón. After reaching Culiacán, Coronado and 100 soldiers, anxious to behold Cibola, marched swiftly ahead of the slower-moving main army. Expedition Route Map

On July 7, 1540, they arrived at Háwikuh, south of present-day Gallup, New Mexico, and first of the fabled Cities of Cibola. But a major disappointment awaited the Spaniards. Instead of a golden city, they saw only a rock-masonry pueblo occupied by Indians who were prepared to defend their village. After several unsuccessful attempts at a peaceful negotiation, the Spaniards attacked and forced the Indians to abandon the village. The pueblo, well-stocked with much needed food, became Coronado's headquarters through November. Fray Marcos, whose tales had raised so many hopes of wealth and fortune, was ordered back to Mexico City amidst a rising tide of anger and bitter resentment.

On July 7, 1540, they arrived at Háwikuh, south of present-day Gallup, New Mexico, and first of the fabled Cities of Cibola. But a major disappointment awaited the Spaniards. Instead of a golden city, they saw only a rock-masonry [[pueblo]] occupied by Indians who were prepared to defend their village. After several unsuccessful attempts at a peaceful negotiation, the Spaniards attacked and forced the Indians to abandon the village. The pueblo, well-stocked with much needed food, became Coronado's headquarters through November. Fray Marcos, whose tales had raised so many hopes of wealth and fortune, was ordered back to Mexico City amidst a rising tide of anger and bitter resentment.

While at Háwikuh, Coronado sent his captains out to explore the surrounding region. Don Pedro de Tovar and his troops reached the Hopi Indian villages in northeastern Arizona while Garcia López de Cárdenas and his men traveled as far west as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. A third captain, Hernando de Alvarado marched eastward past Acoma and Tiguex pueblos to Cicuye (Pecos) pueblo, near modern-day Santa Fe. It was here that they met "The Turk," a Plains Indian who astounded them with his tales of an unbelievably rich land further to the east, called Quivira. The Turk's stories renewed hopes among the Spaniards of finding the great wealth that had thus far eluded them, however, with winter approaching, further exploration had to wait until spring. The army wintered at Tiguex with the seemingly friendly inhabitants. However, the Indians' mood soon turned to open hostility when violations of hospitality and friendship were committed by the Spaniards. A series of battles followed, resulting in the Spaniards killing the occupants of one pueblo and forcing the abandonment of several others.

While at Háwikuh, Coronado sent his captains out to explore the surrounding region. Don Pedro de Tovar and his troops reached the Hopi Indian villages in northeastern Arizona while Garcia López de Cárdenas and his men traveled as far west as the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. A third captain, Hernando de Alvarado marched eastward past Acoma and Tiguex pueblos to Cicuye (Pecos) pueblo, near modern-day Santa Fe. It was here that they met "The Turk," a Plains Indian who astounded them with his tales of an unbelievably rich land further to the east, called Quivira. The Turk's stories renewed hopes among the Spaniards of finding the great wealth that had thus far eluded them, however, with winter approaching, further exploration had to wait until spring. The army wintered at Tiguex with the seemingly friendly inhabitants. However, the Indians' mood soon turned to open hostility when violations of hospitality and friendship were committed by the Spaniards. A series of battles followed, resulting in the Spaniards killing the occupants of one pueblo and forcing the abandonment of several others.