Originally a stop on the Old San Antonio Road, the town is a tomato-growing center. Its name is the Spanish word for "high." It is the highest point between the Angelina and Neches rivers.

The grave of Helena Kimble Dill, believed by many to be the mother of the first Anglo child born in Texas (1804) is here. (Jane Long, of Galveston, also is credited as mother of Texas' first Anglo child in 1821.) Contact chamber of commerce or park superintendent of Caddo Mounds State Historic Site for information about other sites of interest.