First the marker. It is a grey, granite marker, erected in 1946, is labeled "Old Spanish Trail". The marker stand on a three stepped, blocked plinth. The marker features a relief carving of a Spanish explorer, in a morion helm and breastplate and leg greaves. He is carrying a long spear. The horse in unarmored. The marker almost looks like a throwback to the earlier art deco style of lettering and art work, even though it was dedicated in 1948.
The marker is a three-fold commemoration.
1.) To the Old Spanish Trail Auto Route that passed right by the Courthouse.
2.) To the Original Spanish Explorers that were on this portion of the route in the early days.
3.) To the Centennial of the formation of the County.
It is definitely distinctive; it is an important marker; and it also is a representation of the times before everyone whizzed by on the interstate.
The marker text reads as follows:
(picture of a star)
- OLD SPANISH TRAIL -
To the Early Spanish Explorers
Who Passed this Way
(picture of a Spanish Explorer)
Cabeza de Vaca - 1528
Francisco Vasquez Coronado - 1540
Alonzo De Leon - 1689
Diego Ramon - 1716
Guadeloupe County
Created
Mar. 30, 1846
Organized
Aug. 7, 1846
Erected - 1946
According to the Seguin Texas Visitor's Bureau - (
visit link) - Here are just some of the things to do in Seguin as far as events and Festivals:
"January
MLK Celebration
Youth Live Stock Show
February
Denim & Diamonds
March
ArtsFest
Cajun Jamboree
Toast to Texas at Sebastopol
April
Earth Day/Trade Day
GRMC Relay for Life
Hospice Gala
Just for Kids Fishin' Day
TX Ladies Chili Cook-Off
May
Ag Fest at the Big Red Barn
Cinco De Mayo
Mid-Texas Symphony
Hot Shots Fish Fry
June
Cinderella Ball
Concerts in the Park, Sundays
Fiestas Juan Seguin
Taste of Seguin
July
Biggest Small-Town Fourth of July Parade and Fireworks
Freedom Fiesta
Texas Lineman's Rodeo
August
Seguin Birthday Party
October
Guadalupe County Fair
Kids Day in the Park
Pecan Fest Heritage Day
Riverside Cemetery Tours
Wilson Pottery Show
D.A.R.E. Safe Haunted House
December
Cocoa Sip'n Stroll
Heritage Tours of Homes
Las Posadas
Lighted Christmas Parade
Red Barn's County Christmas
YuleFest"
Again, from the Seguin Texas Visitors Bureau - (
visit link) - history of the area:
"The community of Seguin was established in 1838 by members of Mathew Caldwell's Gonzales Rangers, but was not incorporated until 1853. It was originally called Walnut Springs for the nearby fresh water sources. Just six months later the name was changed to honor Colonel Juan N. Seguin, one of Sam Houston's ablest Lieutenants throughout the struggle for Texas' independence. As leader of a dedicated group of Texans of Mexican ancestry, Col. Seguin participated in the great victory at San Jacinto. Later he served as a Republic of Texas Senator and as Mayor of San Antonio.
THE GUADALUPE RIVER
The Guadalupe River was discovered in 1689 by Alonzo deLeon, who named it in honor of the patron saint of the expedition. DeLeon, and other later travelers, considered it to be the most beautiful river in Texas. Today, its' scenic beauty and clear waters still attract admiration from visitors thoughout Texas.
The Guadalupe River begins near the town of Hunt in Kerr County, where the North and South Forks of the river converge, and ends 431 miles later at San Antonio Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Guadalupe River watershed encompasses an area of 5,994 square miles, and includes a wide diversity of geological, botanical, and aquatic life."