Near Floydada in Floyd County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Coronado in Blanco Canyon
The exact route along which their Indian guides led the Spaniards between Pecos Pueblo in New Mexico and the Arkansas River in Kansas has long been a subject of debate among historians. Surviving documents are brief, vague and occasionally contradictory. Twice in the spring of 1541, the company camped long enough to have created detectable archeological evidence; the first time, they chose the site of a Teya Indian camp. A hailstorm struck, destroying most, if not all, of their pottery. They occupied a second camp for two weeks in a canyon that was described as being "a league wide."
In the 1950s and 1960s, two pieces of chain mail were
discovered by
local ranchers in and near Blanco
Canyon. Since 1993, a series of
other objects, both European and
from other parts of the
southwest, have been found in the
same area. They include
projectile points similar to
those used on crossbow arrows.
Crossbows were obsolete after
this expedition and are unlikely
to have been used by any other
group of significant size. In the
late 1990s, archeologists began
the task of confirming this area
as the location of one of
Coronado's camps. Evidence and
artifacts recovered supported the
theory that Coronado passed
through Blanco Canyon.
Erected 2000 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12355.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Hispanic Americans • Native Americans.
Location. 33° 53.526′ N, 101° 21.6′ W. Marker is near Floydada, Texas, in Floyd County. Marker is on US 62, on the left when traveling south. US-62, roadside park, 8 miles S. of Floydada. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Floydada TX 79235, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Battle of Blanco Canyon (here, next to this marker); Roots of the Catholic Faith in West Texas (here,
next to this marker); Floyd County (a few steps from this marker); Floydada, Texas (approx. 6.1 miles away); Zimmerman House (approx. 6.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Floydada (approx. 6.4 miles away); First Methodist Church of Floydada (approx. 6.4 miles away); Floydada Lodge No. 712, A. F. & A. M. (approx. 6˝ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Floydada.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2017. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,612 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 8, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on June 28, 2017, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 8, 2009, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.