San Marcos in Hays County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Cattle Drives

Photographed by Richard Denney, October 5, 2013

1. The Cattle Drives Marker

Inscription. Starting in 1866 the broad valley behind this marker was the scene of cattle drives from the south Texas brush country to Kansas railheads, where livestock was then shipped to eastern markets. These old routes where always imprecise because, as one writer observed: “the trails originated wherever a herd was shaped up and ended wherever a market was found.” This San Antonio to Austin segment, which approximates today’s I-35, was a trunk line with many feeders.

From March through August, the great herds that wound through Hays County found ample grazing and numerous spring-fed streams (many now dried up.) The cattle forded the San Marcos river near today’s Cheatham Street bridge and were bedded along the east bank, generally between Aquarena Springs Drive and I-35. The herds proceeded to the vicinity of present Buda, then exited the county near Onion Creek.

The arrival of the International and Great Northern Railway Company in 1881 substantially ended the trail drives. And not a moment too soon for homemakers who detested the billowing swarms of houseflies they attracted.

Topics. This historical marker

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Railroads & Streetcars • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1866.

Location. 29° 49.478′ N, 97° 57.059′ W. Marker is in San Marcos, Texas, in Hays County. It is at the intersection of South Old Bastrop Road (County Route 266) and East McCarty Lane (County Route 233), on the right when traveling south on South Old Bastrop Road. Marker is located across from San Macros High School on Old Bastrop Road (also known as the Camino Real). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2601 E McCarty Ln, San Marcos TX 78666, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Hill Country

and in the Austin Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South.

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

Photographed by Richard Denney, October 5, 2013

2. The Cattle Drives Marker

of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Kings Highway (approx. 1.3 miles away); Pitts Cemetery (approx. 2½ miles away); First Baptist Church (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Kings Highway (approx. 2.6 miles away); Redwood Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away); Thompson's Islands (approx. 3.4 miles away); First Baptist Church NBC of San Marcos (approx. 3.4 miles away); Belvin Street Historic District (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Marcos.

Other markers no longer nearby. El Camino De Nacogdoches (was approx. 1.8 miles away but has been permanently removed); Gen. Antonio Gaona’s 1836 Campaign (was approx. 2.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Additional keywords. El Camino Real

Panorama of valley behind marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney

3. Panorama of valley behind marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 934 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 7, 2013, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.