Ranch Headquarters & the Early Counties of South Texas, circa 1885With the establishment of dependable and regular train service in the 1870s the rich lands south of Austin were promoted for settlers coming to Texas. Towns prospered as new farms and ranches were established. The rolling plains attracted large groups of Polish, French, Czech, and German settlers who joined the earlier immigrants from America's eastern states as well as the Hispanic residents who had original Land Grants issued by the Spanish Crown