This community grew around the U.S. Army post of the same name, established in 1857. The site was the abandoned Spanish mission, San Lorenzo de la Santa Cruz, founded by Franciscan missionaries in 1762. The Army abandoned the post in 1861, but the Texas Rangers used the facilities for a number of years after the Civil War. Historical markers just north of the city on Texas 55 give details about the fort and the mission. The town is at the edge of the Nueces River Canyon in an area of Hill Country camps and sparkling streams. Picturesque Lake Nueces offers camping facilities, some with full hookups, swimming, boating and fishing.