The town of Hondo is ten miles away from the SKP campground at D'Hanis. Hondo was first explored in 1689 by Alonzo de Leon who named it for the Spanish word meaning deep as the high-banked stream of Hondo runs through the town. Permanent settlers built on the banks of Hondo Creek in the early 1840s soon after Castro established his nearby colonies. Hondo was established in 1882. The town is surrounded by fertile agricultural lands. The slogan and sign were erected in the 1930s.
A short drive down a hill, and the hill country flattens out into farm land almost instantly. Not far away is the SKP park at D'Hanis. This is the northern most area of what is considered south Texas.
The ruins of St. Dominic's Church are still standing in Old D'Hanis.
The present day town of D'Hanis is reminiscent of a western frontier town. The brick factory is famous for the quality of its brick and tile and was begun in 1880.
In this part of Texas there are vast ranches consisting of thousands of acres. Many are now home to exotic animals as noticed by strong, high fences surrounding the property. They often make as much from selling hunting rights for these animals as from raising cattle. The junipers of the hill country give way to oaks and mesquite.
Old D'Hanis - where the ruins and restored early homes in Henri Castro's fourth colony can still be found not far from the SKP park. The town was laid out in 1846-47 and was an important state stop until the coming of the railroad. In 1881 the site of New D'Hanis at the "SP" station a mile to the west began the decline of the old town.
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