Near Brenham in Washington County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

La Bahia Road

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, September 14, 2024

1. La Bahia Road Marker

Inscription. One of the first overland routes used by European explorers of Texas, La Bahia Road was originally an east-west Indian trail in southeastern Texas and Louisiana. Earlier it may have been an animal trail. Although not as famous, or long, as El Camino Real (the San Antonio Road), La Bahia is probably older and it figured quite importantly in the movement of explorers, soldiers, traders, and settlers across Texas. Possibly the first European to set foot on the road was La Salle, who explored for France in this area during 1685-87. Almost certainly it was traveled by the Spaniard Alonso de Leon, who searched for the French intruders in 1689. From 1812 on, the trail and its westernmost town, La Bahia (now Goliad), served agents of both war and peace. The Gutierrez-Magee Expedition, part of Mexico's revolt against Spain, used the road in 1812-13. In 1821 the first Anglo-American colonists in Texas, the vanguard of the "Old 300", came down La Bahia into this area. During the 1836 Texas Revolution, the road found use by troops of the Texan army; Col. James Fannin and his 400 men were massacred near the road--in Goliad. In the 20th century, La Bahia's route helped surveyors map modern Texas highways.

Erected 1971 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 8361.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Notable Events • Roads & Vehicles • War, Texas Independence. In addition, it is included in the El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1689.

Location. 30° 16.537′ N, 96° 28.665′ W. Marker is near Brenham, Texas, in Washington County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 36 and State Highway FM 390, on the right when traveling north on State Highway 36. On the north-east

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corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brenham TX 77833, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

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 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Glenblythe Plantation, Home of Thomas Affleck (approx. 1.1 miles away); Thomas Affleck (approx. 1.7 miles away); Site of Mound Hill School (approx. 2.1 miles away); Site of Holly Oaks (approx. 2.2 miles away); Waul's Texas Legion Campsite (approx. 2.3 miles away); Oak Rest Cemetery and Site of Prospect Presbyterian Church (approx. 2.4 miles away); Robert Starke Armistead (approx. 3.2 miles away); Yegua Creek (approx. 4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brenham.

Also see . . . Handbook of Texas Online.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010

2. La Bahia Road Marker

La Bahia road is also known as the "lower road" considered part of what is now designated El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. (Submitted on March 14, 2012, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)

Marker and near-by church. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Gregory Walker, February 5, 2010

3. Marker and near-by church.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 21, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,933 times since then and 139 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 23, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2010, by Gregory Walker of La Grange, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.