Near Old Glory in Stonewall County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
The Mackenzie Trail
Photographed By Duane Hall, June 7, 2016
1. The Mackenzie Trail Marker
Inscription.
The Mackenzie Trail was a significant route in Texas history. French explorer Pierre Vial and Spanish explorer Jose Mares used parts of the trail in separate expeditions (1786-88); Captain Randolph B. Marcy (1849), and Robert E. Lee (1856) came through the area as well. In 1871, Colonel Ranald Mackenzie sent Tonkawa scouts and cavalrymen from Fort Griffin to find a trail to the High Plains which they could employ in a campaign against the Northern Comanches and their allies, the Kiowas, in response to an attack. The trail crossed the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River (.5 mi SE) and followed it west to Double Mountain by way of Cottonwood Spring (2 mi W), which was used historically by indigenous peoples and later became part of the Comanche war trail system. The trail then went northwest to the Caprock. Mackenzie led 600 troops along this trail in pursuit of the Native Americans in 1871 and in later expeditions. The route was also used during the Red River War (1874-75). , In 1876, Charles C. Rath established Rath City on the trail (15 mi W), using the route to capitalize on the buffalo hid business. As the era of the open range ended in the 1880s, farmers bought property and settled in the area, establishing a number of rural communities. Meanwhile, large ranches were established, including W.F. Rayner’s Call Bar Ranch. Rayner also established the Rayner community, located on the Mackenzie Trail; it became Stonewall County’s first county seat in 1889. By 1909, the trail was replaced by the Stamford and Northwestern Railroad. In less than 40 years of formal use, the Mackenzie Trail significantly influenced the development of Stonewall County and the Southern and Rolling Plains. . This historical marker was erected in 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. It is Near Old Glory in Stonewall County Texas
The Mackenzie Trail was a significant route in Texas history. French explorer Pierre Vial and Spanish explorer Jose Mares used parts of the trail in separate expeditions (1786-88); Captain Randolph B. Marcy (1849), and Robert E. Lee (1856) came through the area as well. In 1871, Colonel Ranald Mackenzie sent Tonkawa scouts and cavalrymen from Fort Griffin to find a trail to the High Plains which they could employ in a campaign against the Northern Comanches and their allies, the Kiowas, in response to an attack. The trail crossed the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River (.5 mi SE) and followed it west to Double Mountain by way of Cottonwood Spring (2 mi W), which was used historically by indigenous peoples and later became part of the Comanche war trail system. The trail then went northwest to the Caprock. Mackenzie led 600 troops along this trail in pursuit of the Native Americans in 1871 and in later expeditions. The route was also used during the Red River War (1874-75).
In 1876, Charles C. Rath established Rath City on the trail (15 mi W), using the route to capitalize on the buffalo hid business. As the era of the open range
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ended in the 1880s, farmers bought property and settled in the area, establishing a number of rural communities. Meanwhile, large ranches were established, including W.F. Rayner’s Call Bar Ranch. Rayner also established the Rayner community, located on the Mackenzie Trail; it became Stonewall County’s first county seat in 1889. By 1909, the trail was replaced by the Stamford & Northwestern Railroad. In less than 40 years of formal use, the Mackenzie Trail significantly influenced the development of Stonewall County and the Southern and Rolling Plains.
Erected 2009 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 16163.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Roads & Vehicles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.
Location. 33° 5.76′ N, 100° 0.452′ W. Marker is near Old Glory, Texas, in Stonewall County. Marker is on State Highway 283, half a mile south of County Road 139, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Aspermont TX 79502, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Glory (approx. 3.6 miles away); Texas Vietnam Veterans Memorial Highway (approx. 11.7 miles away); Rath City (approx. 11.7 miles away); a different
Trail crossing over the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River is at center left of image
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on June 10, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 613 times since then and 102 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 10, 2016, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.
The Mackenzie Trail was a significant route in Texas history. French explorer Pierre Vial and Spanish explorer Jose Mares used parts of the trail in separate expeditions (1786-88); Captain Randolph B. Marcy (1849), and Robert E. Lee (1856) came through the area as well. In 1871, Colonel Ranald Mackenzie sent Tonkawa scouts and cavalrymen from Fort Griffin to find a trail to the High Plains which they could employ in a campaign against the Northern Comanches and their allies, the Kiowas, in response to an attack. The trail crossed the Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River (.5 mi SE) and followed it west to Double Mountain by way of Cottonwood Spring (2 mi W), which was used historically by indigenous peoples and later became part of the Comanche war trail system. The trail then went northwest to the Caprock. Mackenzie led 600 troops along this trail in pursuit of the Native Americans in 1871 and in later expeditions. The route was also used during the Red River War (1874-75).
