Near Fredericksburg in Gillespie County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Pinta Trail

Photographed by Steve Gustafson, June 14, 2008

1. Pinta Trail Marker

Inscription. Origin of the Pinta Trail is attributed to nomadic Plains Indian tribes. Early Spanish and Mexican expeditions followed the general route of the trail, which extended from San Antonio de Bexar to the San Saba River near present Menard. A survey by German immigrants in 1845 provided a wagon road over part of the trail, and, after the discovery of gold in California in 1849, the trail was utilized by U.S. Military companies seeking new routes to the western states. Use of the trail declined with the advent of railroads in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Texas Sesquicentennial 1836-1986.

Erected 1986 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 10096.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1845.

Location. 30° 13.549′ N, 98° 48.675′ W. Marker is near Fredericksburg, Texas, in Gillespie County. It is on U.S. 290, on the right when traveling west. Located in a rest area 5.2 miles east of Fredericksburg. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fredericksburg TX 78624, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Hill Country.

Globally, 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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Easter Fires (approx. 1½ miles away); a different marker also named Pinta Trail

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(approx. 2.6 miles away); The Zodiac Community (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Braeutigam Family (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Natural Setting (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Guardhouse (approx. 2.6 miles away); Fort Martin Scott: Frontier Army Post (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Laundry (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fredericksburg.

Also see . . . Pinta Trail article, Handbook of Texas Online. (Submitted on February 16, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)

Photographed by Richard Denney, February 15, 2014

2. Pinta Trail Marker

View of marker in context of right of way.

Photographed by Richard Denney, February 15, 2014

3. Pinta Trail Marker

View across road from marker, looking south towards the hills where the town of Cain City (now a ghost town) would later be located. Trail passed through the gaps in hills. See reference to Cain City in link to Pinta Trail article, Handbook of Texas Online.

View towards marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, February 15, 2014

4. View towards marker

View in general direction of marker taken near the pass in hills in Cain City. Neighboring peaks would have provided excellent observation points to the Pedernales River bottom, and the town of Fredricksburg.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. This page has been viewed 5,221 times since then and 194 times this year. Last updated on November 30, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on March 21, 2010, by Steve Gustafson of Lufkin, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 16, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.