Claude in Armstrong County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Route of Coronado Expedition

Photographed by Mansfieldphoto.com, September 21, 2025

1. Route of Coronado Expedition Marker

Inscription. Led by Francisco Vazquez de Coronado, this trail-blazing expedition set out from Mexico City in 1541 in search of Cibola, fabled 7 Cities of Gold. Finding only Indian pueblos, Coronado changed his course for Quivira, a supposedly wealthy Indian kingdom. This quest brought the entourage across the Panhandle plains to present Tule Canyon. Then with 30 men, Coronado went north by "Needle Point" – a route taking in Palo Duro Canyon and present Armstrong County, via Claude. He next continued into Kansas, but failing to find riches, returned to Mexico in 1542.

Erected 1969 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4366.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1541.

Location. 35° 6.574′ N, 101° 21.531′ W. Marker is in Claude, Texas, in Armstrong County. It is at the intersection of 1st Street (Highway 287) and Trice Street, on the left when traveling west on 1st Street. Located at the Armstrong County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 100 Trice Street, Claude TX 79019, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Texas Panhandle.

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 Comanchería,

the Dust Bowl,

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: Dr. and Mrs. Wm. A. Warner (here, next to this marker); Town of Claude

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(here, next to this marker); Boy Scout Troop No. 17 (here, next to this marker); The Great Panhandle Indian Scare of 1891 (here, next to this marker); Charles Howard Roan (here, next to this marker); Armstrong County (here, next to this marker); "The Claude News" (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Early Sheriffs (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Claude.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia article on Francisco Vázquez de Coronado. (Submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
2. Wikipedia article on Coronado's search for Quivira. (Submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

2. Route of Coronado Expedition Marker

Francisco Vázquez de Coronado y Luján image. Click for full size.

3. Francisco Vázquez de Coronado y Luján

License to use photo: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

Route of Coronado Expedition Marker is the 2nd from the left of the six markers. image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Mark Hilton, July 22, 2016

4. Route of Coronado Expedition Marker is the 2nd from the left of the six markers.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 1,182 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2016, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.