Near this site. Link from Old Spanish Texas to Austin Colony and ports of Houston, Galveston. Vital to freight and passenger travel. In early days, numerous streams were forded or swum. It was common for a carriage to overturn in a river, uncommon for no one to be injured. Adults often rode horseback. Sleds and wagons hauled children, baggage. The Buffalo Bayou, Brazos & Colorado Railroad, started in 1852, built to Alleyton by 1860, shortned the way to Houston. In the Civil War, 1861-65, used for armies, goods, cotton, from coast, east Texas and Louisiana.