Texas Stagecoaches, C.S.A.
Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County, Texas
Marker Inscription
At this site on the historic King's Highway, used since 1691, passengers boarded stagecoaches during the Civil War, 1861-65. Besides this stand, the town had 2 others, to serve 3 stage lines operating here. Wm. Clark had the line to Mt. Pleasant, Haston & Lee the one to Tyler, and Sawyer & Risher (contractors for 15 Texas lines) the one to Waco. Passengers for Waco boarded a coach at 6 a.m., and rode 4 days, 16 hours to the destination. Along the way some made connections for other places. In Waco there were stage lines to Henderson, San Antonio, Clarksville and Hempstead. Schedules were shorter from here to Mt. Pleasant and Tyler. Nacogdoches was one of the best-served towns in Texas. Only 2 lines, both operating from Hempstead, had daily schedules, to Old Washington and to Austin. Cities with 5 lines included Austin, Waco and San Antonio. The port city of Indianola, later destroyed by storms, had 4 lines. In all 31 stage lines operated in Confederate Texas, hauling mail, soldiers, civilians. 15 used 2-horse hacks, the others heavier coaches. All but 5 lines made connections with railroads or steamers, making possible extensive travel.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Along the historic King's Highway, in use since 1691, passengers boarded stagecoaches at Nacogdoches throughout the Civil War, one of the best-served stage towns in Confederate Texas with three stands and three lines. A Waco-bound traveler left at 6 a.m. and rode nearly five days to arrive, connecting onward to San Antonio, Austin, and beyond. In all, thirty-one stage lines carried mail, soldiers, and civilians across wartime Texas, most linking to railroads or steamers for far-reaching travel.
Why it matters
It reveals how stagecoaches kept a blockaded Confederacy moving, binding distant Texas towns together when war disrupted the wider nation.
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Related events
- · Civil War
Themes & tags
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