The Pecos River in Texas was often swift and dangerous, and frequent flooding historically made even the best crossings unusable. In May 1684, Spanish explorer Juan Domínguez de Mendoza and his expedition camped at a site south of here, now on private land, where they could safely cross the river, and they named the location San Pantaleon. In 1840, trader Dr. Henry Connelly used the same crossing, which over the years became known by various names, including Connelly's, Fennelly, Camp Melvin, Camp Melbourne, Ficklin, Pecos, and Pecos Mail Station. By the 1860s, the region's two main routes bypassed this crossing because other fords presented fewer obstacles or seemed more secure, but Horsehead Crossing on the northern route was vulnerable to Comanche attacks, and the southern route near Fort Lancaster did not provide a convenient connection between Forts Concho and Stockton. In 1868, Capt. F.S. Dodge of Fort Stockton sought a new crossing and chose the one previously used by Domínguez and Connelly. Because the river's width often varied greatly, creating a safe and reliable crossing was difficult, so the U.S. Army, in partnership with stage line operator Ben Ficklin, built a floating pontoon bridge near here. Its landings on either bank could be moved closer together or farther apart to accommodate changes in the stream's width. To protect travelers, the Army established Camp Melvin nearby, and a mail station also operated in the vicinity. By 1920, only parts of the pontoon bridge and nearby buildings remained, and increased settlement and improved transportation ended the crossing's and Camp Melvin's active role.