Indianola in Calhoun County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Chihuahua Road

Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 21, 2018

1. The Chihuahua Road Marker

Inscription. Between 1844 and 1887, Indianola grew to become a cosmopolitan port city that was second only to Galveston. Indianola became a port for trade and was the eastern terminus of the Chihuahua Road that traveled overland from the mines of Chihuahua city in Mexico. The mines of Mexico were primarily silver, but also included copper, zinc and lead. Other trails, such as the Santa Fe Trail, were long and difficult routes. The Chihuahua Road became popular as a more direct route, traveling from Indianola-Matagorda Bay, through San Antonio, along the Balcones Fault to the Rio Grande through Alpine and Marfa and then turned south to Mexico and up the Conchos River to Chihuahua city. The Chihuahua Road's several parts were known as the Indianola Road or Goliad Cart Road, the Old Spanish Trail and the Government or Military Road, and, in Mexico, El Camino del Rio Conchos.

By the 1850s, hundreds of wagons and Mexican carretas were outfitted in Indianola for the long and difficult journey across a wide variety of terrain. From 1844 to 1886, scores of towns in West Texas along the Chihuahua Trail were established as a result of trade

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between Indianola and Chihuahua, Mexico. The Chihuahua Road continued until 1877 when a hurricane destroyed Indianola and railroads replaced trails. Surveys have uncovered evidence of the trail and land surveyor reports from this period have helped locate the exact route. For more than thirty years, the Chihuahua Trail played a dominant role in moving items of commerce, travelers and military supplies and personnel through this part of North America.

Erected 2012 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 17226.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 28° 31.129′ N, 96° 29.806′ W. Marker is in Indianola, Texas, in Calhoun County. It can be reached from South Ocean Drive 0.1 miles south of Channel Drive, on the right when traveling south. Marker is located in a pullout loop 150 ft off the road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Port Lavaca TX 77979, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally,

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, August 28, 2023

2. The Chihuahua Road Marker

As seen from road

it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Site of the Town of Indianola (here, next to this marker); Calhoun County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Sgt. William Henry Barnes (approx. ¾ mile away); Indianola Cemetery (approx. ¾ mile away); Ed Bell (approx. ¾ mile away); Rene Robert Cavelier Sieur de la Salle (approx. 0.9 miles away); Louis Antoine Andry (approx. 0.9 miles away); Indianola (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Indianola.

Photographed by Brian Anderson, July 21, 2018

3. The Chihuahua Road Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,732 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. 2. submitted on August 29, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.