Manzanares (river) it flows near the dormitory town of Arganda del Rey, ending its journey. The river Manzanares, although small and relatively unimportant geographically, has had a great historical importance due to its close relation to the city of Madrid. The city was founded by the Moors as a citadel overlooking the river in the ninth century. The river is also featured in many paintings of the late 18th to early 19th-century painter Francisco de Goya, which show traditionally dressed "Madrileños" in activities like dancing or having picnics next to the river. The Manzanares was also an important defence line for the
Francisco Antonio Manzanares the Union during the civil war, and afterward, served in the legislative assembly as an Indian Agent. Manzanares grew up with Spanish as his first language, and during his youth attended Taos School under the instruction of Father Antonio Jose Martinez. In 1863 he began attending St. Louis University, where he studied English until 1864. Manzanares then began his business career with Chick, Browne, and Co. in Kansas City, the birthplace of the firm. He held a sales position there for a brief period, and then quickly relocated to New York City, where he continued his college education. While in