Barstow in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Old Spanish Trail
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
1. The Old Spanish Trail Marker - bottom panel 1
[Text from the bottom panels, left to right]
The first explorers kept detailed journals of their expeditions detailing the route taken and the friendly and hostile encounters with Indians along the way. Journals assisted those who followed and helped communicate the New World that was being discovered.
The Mexican mule trains traveled a distance of 1200 miles across 6 states from Santa Fe to Los Angeles. The mule train was often led in single file and the caravans could be as long as a mile. Indians watch the trail from the safety of their mountain hideout.
[Animal key]
[Use the desert animal key to name & find the animals in the main mural. How many can you find?] California Quail – Codorniz Californiana Mountain Lion – Gato Montes Tarantula – Tarantula Golpher Snake – Serpiente del Gopher Cotton Tail Rabbit – Coneiode Colade Algodon Horned Toad – Sapode Duernos Coyote – Coyote Scorpion – Escorpion Side Blotched Lizard – Legarto de Lado Blotched
Road Runner – Correcaminos Banded King Snake – Serpiente del Ray Golden Eagle – Aguila Dorada Desert Tortoise – Tortuga Hare – Liebre Great
this page online
Our picture shows a silent mountain lion looking out at the many different animals that live in the desert. The mule train is climbing the distant hill. The animals in this picture are living happily in their natural habitat. We ask you to think about them and respect the plant and animal life of the desert. You can help save our environment. Thank You.
This picture shows the Mexicans greeting Indians at their camp by a watering hole along the trail. The Indians and Mexicans traded goods. Indians helped the Mexicans find the easiest trails.
Erected 2007 by Barstow's Main Street Mural Project.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Old Spanish National Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1200.
Location. 34° 53.936′ N, 117° 1.6′ W. Marker is in Barstow, California, in San Bernardino County. It can be reached from East Main Street (Business Interstate 15), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 113 East Main Street, Barstow CA 92311, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Mojave Desert, in the Peninsular Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Mormon Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); General Beale Uses Camels
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
2. The Old Spanish Trail Marker - bottom panel 2
Use the desert animal key to name & find the animals in the main mural. How many can you find?
More about this marker. The Old Spanish Trail is the subject of the eighth mural in the series. This Main Street Mural developed an educational program based on The Old Spanish Trail of 1829 – 1848. This was a four month project involving school children and key historical, cultural and artistic groups from the community. Barstows Main Street murals are intended to illustrate Barstows past and enhance its future. The murals line historic Route 66, the Mother Road. The murals depict aspects of the history of Barstow and the surrounding area. New murals are added annually.
Also see . . . Old Spanish Trail. Museums of
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
3. The Old Spanish Trail Marker - bottom panel 3
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
4. The Old Spanish Trail Marker - bottom panel 4
Use the desert animal key to name & find the animals in the main mural. How many can you find?
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
5. The Old Spanish Trail Mural
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
6. The Old Spanish Trail Marker - bottom panel 5
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, October 16, 2011
7. The Old Spanish Trail Mural
Credits. This page was last revised on November 16, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,509 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on December 17, 2011, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
