Charco de la Pita -- SH 173 W of Devine TX
N 29° 09.963 W 098° 56.341
14R E 505930 N 3226384
This Medina County historical commission marker preserves the history of the famous 18th century camping spot of Charco de la Pita, and the Old Pita Road, the first road in Texas.
Waymark Code: WMPH3R
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 08/31/2015
Views: 5
This historic marker is co-located with an official state historic marker (about Spanish Explorartion in Medina County) in a roadside pullout along state Highway 173, west of Devine, Texas.
The sign reads as follows:
"CHARCO DE LA PITA
Within one mile of this site was the famed camping place, Charco de la Pita. It was located along the old Pita Road, the first road in Texas. The Pita Road extended from the San Juan Bautista Mission, some 25 miles down the Rio Grande from present-day Eagle Pass, to missions in San Antonio and Nacogdoches.
Domingo Ramon, who opened the Pita Road, camped here on May 12, 1716. Martin De Alarcon, on his way to establish the city of San Antonio, camped here on April 20, 1718.
The Pita Road remained active until approximately 1765, when the fierce Comanche Indians, newcomers to the area, caused a more safe route to be established. At that time the lower Presidio Road was created. It was located some 25 miles to the south east. A marker is in place at that site on this highway.
With the arrival of a small detachment of Spanish troops, the upper Presidio Road, a more direct route from San Antonio to San Juan Bautista, was Oakland circuit 1807. That old road would have intersected this highway approximately 2.7 miles northwest, at the top of a low ridge.
Compiled by J. A. Rios
Medina County Historical Commission
1989"
Group that erected the marker: Medina County Historical Commission
URL of a web site with more information about the history mentioned on the sign: [Web Link]
Address of where the marker is located. Approximate if necessary:
TX SH 173 W of Devine
Medina County, TX
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Visit Instructions:
Take a picture of the marker, preferably including yourself or your GPSr in the photo. A very detailed description of your visit may be substituted for a photo. In any case please provide a description of your visit. A description of only "Visited" or "Saw it while on vacation" by anyone other than the person creating the waymark may be deleted by the waymark owner or the category officers.