Before Texas was claimed in the 18th century as a part of
the Viceroyalty of New Spain, the Dallas area was inhabited by the Caddo
people. Later, France also claimed the area, but in 1819 the Adams-Onís Treaty
made the Red River the northern boundary of New Spain, officially placing the
future location of Dallas well within Spanish territory. The area remained
under Spanish rule until 1821, when Mexico declared independence from Spain and
the area became part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. In 1836, the
Republic of Texas broke off from Mexico to become an independent nation.
