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San Patricio Trail connects South Texas communities
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Disclaimer:
The author of this entry is responsible for this content, which is not edited by the Wilson County News or wilsoncountynews.com. |
Gene Maeckel
October 27, 2009 | Comment on this blog entry
This is the first of two articles about the San Patricio Trail.
The San Patricio Trail was created by the Irish settlers of the coastal area near Corpus Christi in 1830 as a travel and trade route to San Antonio. Until the advent of the railroad in the 1880s, it developed into a major travel route in South Texas.
The trail in the San Antonio area began at Graytown near the Bexar and Wilson county boundary. At this time, Graytown was a crossroads point for several roads and trails, which provided multiple access routes into San Antonio. Located near Graytown was the Maldonado Crossing or ford site to cross the San Antonio River. Nearby there was also a ferry crossing. This crossing enabled travelers to reach San Antonio on either its west side to the Villa de Bexar or to its east side to the Presidio.
From Graytown, the trail followed a southerly route to Fairview, Tordilla Mound, and Oakville in Live Oak County. Here the road split, with one route going to Corpus Christi and the other to Brownsville and Matamoros, Mexico. The road left Wilson County in the area where the three counties of Wilson, Karnes, and Atascosa joined together in the vicinity of the Tordilla Hills.
In this area was Tordilla Mound, one of the first communities in Atascosa County to have a post office, located just a short distance past the Wilson County line. Near here also was Rock Spring, a natural waterhole providing travelers along the trail with a sure water source. Rock Spring was the only reliable source of water between Graytown and Oakville. The location of Rock Spring was near Tordilla Hill, a major landmark and prominent high point in the Tordilla Hills, which was visible for miles.
In the 1970s, this local area was disturbed by quarrying operations to supply base materials for new roadways and railroad extensions in the nearby areas. Today, the water flow from Rock Spring has ceased and is no longer a natural reliable source of water.
Leaving Oakville, the trail followed the Nueces River to San Patricio, then on to Corpus Christi. A second branch of the trail left Oakville going toward Brownsville.
Compiled by Gene Maeckel from archives of the Wilson County Historical Society. Visit the Web site: http://www.wilsoncountyhistory.com.
Sesquicentennial Committee members are LaJuana Newnam-Leus, 830-393-2166; Shirley and John Grammer, 830-947-3176; Maurine Liles, 830-393-4959; and Gene Maeckel, 830-484-2536.
The Sesquicentennial Committee is organizing celebrations to mark the 150th anniversary of the founding of Wilson County. Anyone interested in helping with one of the celebration committees is invited to contact one of these individuals. |
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