Shortly after the founding of Laredo in 1755, the Spanish established a transportation and communication route across this site. The road provided the necessary abundance of water and grass for travel across this arid region and served as a vital link between San Antonio and Laredo for well over a century. Although under constant surveillance by hostile Indian tribes, the route was traversed by numerous notable people. Fray Gaspar Jose De Solis passed this site on Aug. 21, 1768, while returning from an inspection of Spanish Texas missions. Stephen F. Austin, en route to Mexico City to seek a colonization grant, crossed here about March 18, 1822. On Feb. 26, 1828, Manuel de Mier y Teran passed on his way to survey Anglo-American strength in Mexican Texas. The Somervell expedition, in punitive retaliation for a Mexican invasion of Texas, crossed here on Dec. 1, 1842, bound for Laredo. Before and after the Civil War, the road was used as a military supply route from San Antonio to Forts Ewell, from 1852 to 1854, at the Nueces River crossing, and McIntosh at Laredo, and as a trade outlet for early settlers. Although abandoned after ranches were fenced and a railroad from San Antonio to Laredo was built in 1881, the road is still visible on the open range.