This early road connected the presidio, "Nuestra Senora del Pilar de los Adaes," to the royal authority in Mexico City. An elected representative from Los Adaes traveled 1300 miles to Mexico City, where he collected the soldiers' salaries and purchased goods needed by the soldiers in Mexico City, Saltillo, and other cities, with the round trip taking as long as six months. Portions of Camino Real de los Tejas are preserved at Los Adaes Historic Site.