This area progressed from Indian territory to pioneer ranch land to space-age Pasadena. Once known for its strawberry patches, it later became acclaimed for its oil and chemical industries. The Vince brothers, members of Stephen F. Austin's original 300 settlers, developed the area as ranch land. In 1836, the armies of both Sam Houston and Santa Anna traveled through what is now Pasadena on the way to San Jacinto to decide the future of Texas. "Deaf" Smith destroyed a bridge on the Vince ranch to block possible escape by the Mexican army. After the brief battle, Santa Anna eluded the victorious Texas army on a horse stolen from Allen Vince and was captured approximately one mile from this site. In 1850, surveyors of the Galveston, Harrisburg and San Antonio Railroad called the area "Land of Flowers." Col. J. H. Burnet, a land developer from Galveston, founded Pasadena in 1895, saying that it would be the hub of a vast rich agricultural area. That vision was fulfilled, and by 1908 Pasadena was known for "delicious strawberries, figs, oranges and vegetables."