Old Corn Trail
Comanche, Comanche County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Surveyed in 1850 by Army engineers, this was the first wagon road to penetrate this area. Point of origin was San Antonio, site of U.S. Army District Headquarters after annexation of Texas in 1846. This segment of road extended from Fort Gates (in Coryell County) to Fort Griffin (Shackelford County) and Fort Belknap (Young County). Although used for communications and troop movements, most common traffic was in supplies--especially feed for Army horses and mules. Hence the name "Corn Trail." Presence of the road and its traffic from fort to fort encouraged settlement. In 1851 John A. and J. M. McGuire moved to a site near here on Indian Creek. James H. Neel settled on Resley's Creek in 1852; in 1854 James Mercer and Capt. Frank Collier pitched tents on Mercer Creek, soon to be joined by their families and the Holmsleys and Tuggles. Collier put up first log house; Holmsley plowed first furrow. By Christmas of 1855 there were enough citizens here to petition for a county, and Comanche County was created by the Texas Legislature Jan. 25, 1856. The Corn Trail was a main civilian thoroughfare, and continued to serve its original purpose as a route for frontier troops and supplies. (1967)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Surveyed by Army engineers in 1850, the Corn Trail was the first wagon road to reach this part of central Texas, running fort to fort from San Antonio's district headquarters into the frontier. Its most common cargo was corn for Army horses and mules, which gave the road its name. The traffic drew settlers, and by Christmas 1855 there were enough of them to petition for the creation of Comanche County.
Why it matters
The road illustrates how military supply routes opened the Texas frontier to permanent settlement.
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Related people
- · John A. McGuire
- · James H. Neel
- · Frank Collier
Related events
- · Creation of Comanche County, 1856
Themes & tags
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