San Maros was founded when the Spanish explorers passed through this area on the Camino Real des los Tejas (click here to learn more) It was the abundance of fresh flowing water that inspired them to establish a town  in 1809 and named it Villa de San Marcos de Neve. The population was almost entirely of persons born in New Spain.

Unfortunately for the newcomers, the area had been occupied by Native Americans for over 12,000 years and on July 27, 1812, a combined group of Comanche and Tonkawa Indians invaded San Marcos de Neve and ran off with some 205 horses. The small detachment of soldiers in the villa were powerless to stop the attack and unable to pursue the raiding Indians.  The people of San Marcos abandoned their homes, never to return after only 3-years.

Learn more on the San Marcos Ghost Tour. $13.00 per person. Friday and Saturday nights at 8:00 PM. Meet on the square. For more information click here.