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EL CAMINO REAL DE LOS TEJAS
El Camino Real de los Tejas spans more than 2,500 miles (4,023 km) and 150 years of history. Spain used this road network to colonize present-day Texas and western Louisiana. The road followed Indigenous trails created long before Europeans arrived. Spaniards, Frenchmen, Native Americans, Mexicans, African Americans, and Anglo Americans traveled these routes. They all left stories. (This picture was generated using AI and may not be an accurate depiction of the early Spanish expeditions.)
El Camino Real de los Tejas
Interesting Facts
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail (ECR) is a 2,580-mile braided network of trails spreading across forty counties in Texas and two parishes in Louisiana. The part of the trail system that passes through Milam County was historically referred to as El Camino Real de los Tejas.
- The National Historic Trail system was authorized by U. S. President Lyndon B. Johnson and El Camino Real de los Tejas was added in 2004. There are 11 Scenic Trails and 21 Historical Trails in the U.S. (as of 2024).
- The National Park Service uses El Camino Real de los Tejas to refer to a mesh of routes that led through Texas that were used during Spanish Colonial times (1680-1845).
- The trail, which was initially a set of American Indian footpaths, saw its use increase during the Spanish Colonial period after 1691. It was traveled by Spanish missionaries and military to establish missions and forts to protect the land from being claimed by the French.
- A “Camino Real” is established under royal authority and must go from capital to capital (Mexico City to Los Adaes, Louisiana).
- 1680-1845 is the El Camino Real period of historic significance.
- The End of the Spanish Colonial period is 1821.
- A typical Spanish group traveling the Camino would consist of a church contingent with one or more Catholic priests, a military contingent with a captain, a number of civilians, and Native American guides and servants.
- A contingent traveling the Camino would typically cover 15 miles on a good day.
- 1300 – 1843 is the Rancheria Grande period of historic significance (see Relevant Historical Dates below).
- The routes that pass through Milam County are part of the trail that passed through the Rancheria Grande.
- 1721 - This is the probable date of the first visit by the Aguayo Expedition to the Rancheria Grande.
- Soon after 1721 a rest stop developed in the Rancheria Grande for ECR travelers.
- 23 Nations of ethnic groups met together in the Rancheria Grande.
- The Rancheria Grande was described as being composed of clustered native villages on broad upland terraces with 360-degree views, bounded by natural vegetation, and connected by historic trails.
- The Rancheria Grande was a well-known buffalo-hunting ground.
- Spanish chroniclers documented the presence of "a great store of corn and other grains, vegetables, and fruits such as prunes, raisins, [wal]nuts, and acorns."
- In Cedar Hill Nature Preserve, the Main Swale, its adjacent Swale, and a swale deeper in the forest are believed to be part of the actual ECR.
- In Cedar Hill Nature Preserve, the Alternate swale, sunken road swale, and a short hidden swale are believed to be spurs leading to the Baumann Village Site.