The order, open to men and women alike, currently has "caravans" active in New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, New Jersey, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Texas, California, Washington D.C., as well as a handful of "caravans" in Canada.

It was after the completion of the Reconquista that the Spanish monarchs decided to fund Christopher Columbus' initial voyage to the Americas.

The Order was founded on February 29, 1904, in Brooklyn, New York by William Harper Bennett who also designed and authored the Knights of Columbus 4th Degree ceremony.

"[1] Groups of members are known as Carvans and are given a number, as well as a name of Moorish/Spanish origin from persons, places, or events during the Spanish Reconquista (for example, one Detroit, Michigan caravan is known as Galicia #77,[2] after a northwestern region of Spain).

Every two years, representatives from each caravan meet in what is known as the Grand Divan to elect Supreme Officers to serve on the Council of Viziers and address other issues affecting the Order.