The presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto was established near Matagorda Bay in 1721 to prevent future French landings and protect the mission Nuestra Señora del Espíritu Santo de Zúñiga. After two relocations, it moved to the San Antonio River in 1749, where it protected missions Espíritu Santo and Rosario and became a center of civil settlement on travel routes from the Gulf coast to interior Texas. It was one of the most fought-over sites in Texas, and every attempt to change the order of government in colonial Texas involved capturing the fort. In 1812, it was the site of the longest siege in Texas military history, and nine years later an American force targeted it while attempting to conquer Texas for the United States. The presidio chapel was the site of the signing of the first Texas declaration of independence in 1835. During the Texas Revolution in 1836, it briefly served as the headquarters of Texan forces under Fannin and then as their temporary prison after their defeat at the battle of Coleto.