Melrose in Nacogdoches County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of "El Atascoso"

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023

1. Site of "El Atascoso" Marker

Inscription. In 1782, local Spanish official Antonio Gil Y'Barbo granted a league of land "at the place named El Atascoso for a ranch and cultivation" to Nacogdoches citizen Miguel de Cordova. Named for a creek that ran through the site, "El Atascoso" was typical of early Spanish Texas ranchos. El Camino Real, an important road that ran from the Mexican border to Natchitoches, Louisiana, crossed the creek on the ranch, and the site saw many travelers. The ranch was also a significant site for both the legal and illegal trade of goods among the area settlers and travelers. Although the rancho declined in importance during 1820s, a small settlement at the site became known as Atascoso and thrived through the early days of the Texas Republic.

Erected 1973 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9272.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Hispanic Americans • Roads & Vehicles.

Location. 31° 33.756′ N, 94° 30.852′ W. Marker is in Melrose, Texas, in Nacogdoches County. It is on State Highway 21 1½ miles east of Farm to Market

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Road 226, on the left when traveling west. SH 21, south side, 1.5 mi. E of FM 226, between Atascoso Creek and CR 404. Just west of Atascocita Ridge neighborhood. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Nacogdoches TX 75961, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South,

specifically in the Deep South,

and in the Piney Woods.

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,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 9 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road (approx. 1½ miles away); Pioneer Texas Oil Man (approx. 1.9 miles away); Fairview Church Cemetery (approx. 4.4 miles away); Home of Peter Ellis Bean (approx. 4.8 miles away); Cove Springs Cemetery (approx. 5.3 miles away); John Balch (approx. 5.3 miles away); a different marker also named Kings Highway Camino Real — Old San Antonio Road

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, April 23, 2023

2. Site of "El Atascoso" Marker

(approx. 6.4 miles away); "Los Ojos de Padre Margil" (approx. 8.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Melrose.

Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 2, 2025

3. Site of "El Atascoso" Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. This page has been viewed 525 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 27, 2023, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 3. submitted on December 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.