El Camino Real -- LT Zebulon Pike, Hays Co. TX - Ancient Traces and Roads on Waymarking.com

Three state historical markers and a local historical sign stand at this spot along the Old Bastrop Highway, which is the former route of the El Camino Real.

The local marker, erected by the Hays County Historical Commission, reads as follows:

"LT ZEBULON M. PIKE

After famed American explorer Zebulon Montgomery Pike (1779-1813) had encountered the Colorado mountain peak that bears his name, Spanish authorities decided that he had seen enough of their Southwest. Supposedly, Pike and his men had been sent by Gen. James Wilkinson, the U.S. Army commander at New Orleans, to make friends with the Indians, to drive out unlicensed traders, and to locate the headwaters of the Arkansas River before returning via the Red River to Natchitoches, Louisiana.

The Spaniards, suspicious but hospitable, detained the Pike party near present Sanford, Colorado, in February 1807 and led them first to Santa Fe, and then to Chihuahua City for questioning by authorities. Upon release, Pike and his men were escorted across the Rio Grande to San Antonio, thence along this road until they reached American soil at Natchitoches.

Pike noted their crossing of the San Marcos River on Sunday, June 14, 1807. The river he observed, was "30 yards in width; a clear and navigable stream for canoes.""

Feature Discription: El Camino Real Historic Site Web address for the route: [Web Link] Secondary Web Address: [Web Link] Beginning of the road: Natchitoches LA End of the road: Guerrero MX

Visit Instructions:
We ask that if you visit the site, please include a unique picture with your impressions of the location. If possible, and if you are not too shy, please include yourself and your group in the photo. Extra points will be given for your best buffalo imitation or if you are licking something salty.

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Date Logged Log User Rating   01/15/2018 Benchmark Blasterz visited it