Route of Marcy's Trail
Big Spring, Howard County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Mapped by Captain Randolph B. Marcy, in charge of the U.S. Army detail guarding citizens bound for California gold rush. Captain Marcy exploded theory that West Texas was a desert. In making his map, he traveled along a chain of springs and lakes known to Comanche guide Manuel. In October 1849, reached The Big Spring-a site marked by many converging Indian trails. From here he went northeast, toward the Red River. Trail was later used by many emigrants, and was followed by a transcontinental railroad and stagecoach line.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
In October 1849, Captain Randolph B. Marcy led an Army escort guarding gold-rush emigrants west and, following a chain of springs known to his Comanche guide Manuel, mapped a route that reached the Big Spring. His survey helped explode the myth that West Texas was an impassable desert. The trail he charted was later worn by emigrant wagons and eventually traced by a stagecoach line and transcontinental railroad.
Why it matters
It marks a key path of westward migration that opened arid West Texas to the wagons, rails, and settlers of a continental nation.
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Related people
- · Randolph B. Marcy
Themes & tags
Nearby & related markers
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