Spanish Colonial History
A Spanish mission and presidio once stood near present-day Menard
In 1757, the Spanish built Mission Santa Cruz de San Sabá and Presidio San Luis de las Amarillas on the San Saba River near what is now the town of Menard.
Spain wanted to convert the Lipan Apache to Christianity. They built the mission on the San Saba River. The presidio sat about four miles away, upstream on the opposite bank. The priests wanted distance from the soldiers, so the sites were kept apart.
On March 16, 1758, a force estimated at around 2,000 Comanche and their allies attacked. They burned the mission and killed two priests and several others. The presidio survived but never brought peace to the region. Spain abandoned the presidio for good around 1768.
Menard County was formed from Bexar County in 1858. It was named for Michel Branamour Menard, the founder of Galveston. The presidio ruins are a recognized historical landmark in the county. The Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas covers both sites in detail.
Source to confirm: TSHA Handbook — Presidio San Luis de las Amarillas