California Crossing
Dallas, Dallas County, Texas
Marker Inscription
CALIFORNIA CROSSING (Some Five Hundred Feet North) Here thousands of 49'ers crossed Trinity River in heroic trek west--following California Gold discovery. Crossing was in shallow part of stream on Southern Transcontinental route to Pacific. Later used by stage lines, railroad; route passed through Dallas and Cedar Springs on to El Paso.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When gold was discovered in California, thousands of "49'ers" streamed west along the Southern Transcontinental route — and here, at a shallow reach of the Trinity River, they forded the stream on their heroic trek to the Pacific. The crossing later carried stage lines and the railroad, funneling traffic through Dallas and Cedar Springs on the long road to El Paso. It marks a vital pinch-point on the overland route across Texas.
Why it matters
California Crossing links this spot to the great westward rush of the Gold Rush era and the transportation corridors that opened the American Southwest.
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Related events
- · California Gold Rush
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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