Marcos returned in 1539 with news: Estéban had sent a cross “as tall as a man.” They had reached Cíbola. Fun Fact The expedition to find gold cost a literal fortune in silver: 10 tons. Coronado returned to Mexico City two years after he’d left, with no gold but plenty of blame. The expedition laid the foundation for the missionary campaigns that would follow as European settlement spread. Related LinksBy the Numbers1,500: Livestock animals Coronado brought along20 men (out of 1,000+): Total Total casualties of Coronado’s men during the expeditionAbout 29: Coronado’s age at the time of the expeditionAlso On This Day

Source: The North Africa Journal February 19, 2026 22:59 UTC