 The opening of the Houston and Texas Central Railway, connecting Austin with Houston, transformed Austin into the major trading center for the region.However, as new railroads were built through the region in the 1870s, Round Rock and other communities took over much of Austin's role as a trading center.In 1868 the Coronal Institute was established in San Marcos and in 1873 Texas University (later renamed Southwestern University) was opened in Georgetown following the consolidation of five earlier colleges.