The history of the land between the Llano and San Saba Rivers is both fascinating and tragic.  The same unique qualities of this land drew both settler and bandit, prospector and thief, priests and sinners, soldiers and natives.  One has to imagine these rives as they would have been 400 years ago, with little to no commerical agriculture.  The rivers flow over limestones and granite, natural filters bringing clear and pure water suitable for drinking and rich in minerals perfect for crops.  

This land also served as the frontier between the more settled lands in San Antonio and the "Comancheria" (The lands dominated by the Comanche).   While still very wild, the terrain was not like the Osage plains where the Comanche had a significant advantage fighting from horseback.  This wooded and rough country could provide some limited cover from the lightning fast raids the Comanche were notorious for. 

It was in this environment that the Lipan Apache's came to the Spanish with a deal.  They would sign a grand peace treaty and convert to the Catholic faith if the Spanish would build Misions protected by soldiers.  This peace treaty was signed in 1749.  In 1757 a Mision and Presidio were built along the San Saba river close to present day Menard, Texas.  Over 200 men, women, and children moved to start a new life with the Lipan Apaches in land of the Two Rivers.