A previous route numbered SH 211 was designated on August 1, 1934, on a route from
Brenham northward to
Independence. On January 26, 1935, it was extended north to
Clay. On July 15, 1935, this extension was cancelled. On January 6, 1939, the remainder of SH 211 was cancelled. On January 22, 1940, the SH 211 was restored south of Old Independence. On October 26, 1942, SH 211 was cancelled, and its mileage was transferred to
FM 50 and
Spur 197. The current alignment was designated on March 31, 1986, from US 90 northward to SH 16. On November 29, 1988, the designation was extended northeastward from SH 16 to
FM 3351; however, this segment was never constructed. The northern portion, from FM 471 to SH 16, was completed in 1991 with the completion of the bridges over San Geronimo Creek. Plans to close the gap between FM 1957 and FM 471 were stymied by insufficient funds available to complete the nearly project and
right-of-way acquisition. In 2007, TxDOT only had $7.7 million of the $30 million required for construction costs. Bexar County was to pay for the balance of the project costs, with TxDOT reimbursing the county when funds became available. Relocation assistance was provided to landowners to persuade them to sell their property for the project. Local opposition to the extension cited greater highway needs elsewhere, environmental concerns in the corridor, and a reluctance to sell land needed for the highway as chief concerns of the highway, while support for the route indicated the belief that it would provide relief to nearby
Loop 1604. The route was completed and opened to traffic in November 2022. The total cost of the project was $33 million. ==Major intersections==