Plainview in Hale County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie
The Old MacKenzie Trail
| | By Larry Chittendon | |
Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, September 20, 2025
1. General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie Marker
Ah, what thoughts and border memories does that dreaming trail suggest; thoughts of travelers gone forever to the twilight realms of rest.
Where are now the scouts and soldiers, and those wagon trains of care, those grim men and haggard women and the echoes whisper - - where?
Ah, what tales of joy and sorrows could that silent trail relate; tales of loss, and wrecked ambitions, tales of hope, of love, and hate:
Tales of hunger, thirst, and anguish tales of skulking Indian braves, tales of fear, and death, and danger, tales of lonely prairie graves.
Where are now that trail's processions, winding westward sure and slow; Lost: ah, yes; destroyed progress, gone to realms of long ago.
Nevermore shall bold MacKenzie, with his brave and dauntless band, guide the restless, roving settlers through the Texas borderland.
Yes, that soldier's work is over, and the dim trail rests at last, but his name and trail still lead us through the borders of the past.
The MacKenzie Trail first crossed by General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie, 4th United States Cavalry, in 1871 in quest of warring bands of Indians.
Erected
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Texas 1936 Centennial Markers and Monuments series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 34° 11.086′ N, 101° 42.162′ W. Marker is in Plainview, Texas, in Hale County. It is at the intersection of East 5th Street and Broadway Street, on the right when traveling west on East 5th Street. Marker is on the northeast corner. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Plainview TX 79072, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is on Texas’ South Plains. It is also on the American Great Plains and specifically on the Southern Plains. 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, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colonel C. C. Slaughter (a few steps from this marker); Schick Opera House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Texas Land & Development Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); First Baptist Church of Plainview (approx. Ό mile away); Lamar School (approx. 0.3 miles away); Plainview Daily Herald (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Hackberry Groves (approx. 0.4 miles away); Blasingame Home (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Plainview.
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015
2. General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie Marker
Photographed by Bill Kirchner, November 17, 2015
3. General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie Marker
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, December 15, 2025
4. General Ranald Slidell MacKenzie marker and Hale County courthouse
Credits. This page was last revised on December 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 5, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 768 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on December 5, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on December 18, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas.
