Mackenzie Trail
Rocksprings, Edwards County, Texas
Marker Inscription
(Merged at this point into SH 55) When the U.S. Army built forts Clark (70 mi. SW) and McKavett (90 mi. NE) in 1852, this frontier trail connected the posts. After Fort Concho was established in 1867, the trail was extended farther north, to present San Angelo. It was later named for Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie, the 1873 commander of Fort Clark, who traveled it in his campaigns against hostile Indians. One of its landmarks was Mackenzie Lake (6.5 mi. N), which furnished water for the troops, for cattle drives up the trail, for settlers, and for Texas Rangers on frontier patrols. (1977)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
When the U.S. Army built Forts Clark and McKavett in 1852, this rough frontier trail linked the two posts; after Fort Concho was founded in 1867 it was extended north toward present San Angelo. It later took the name of Col. Ranald S. Mackenzie, the 1873 commander of Fort Clark, who rode it during his campaigns against Native peoples of the region. Along the way, Mackenzie Lake watered soldiers, cattle drives, settlers, and Texas Rangers patrolling the frontier.
Why it matters
The Mackenzie Trail traces the military road-building and cavalry campaigns that opened West Texas to settlement—part of the hard-fought and costly conquest of the southern plains.
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Related people
- · Ranald S. Mackenzie
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
Stopping Place on the Fort Clark-Fort McKavett Military Road
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This route was one of many military roads built to link the frontier cavalry posts of Texas, running south to Fort Clark and north to Fort McKavett, both established in 1852. Paint Rock Springs, at the head of the South Llano River, made a natural midway rest stop, and in 1877 Major John B. Jones gathered his Texas Rangers here to launch a campaign against frontier outlaws. Beyond its military purpose, the road carried immigrants, cattle drovers, ranchers, mail riders, and freighters into the open country.
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