Chihuahua Trail

This is route of an old Indian road, often path for Apache and Comanche depredations in Texas. Passed Castroville, Uvalde, Horsehead crossing on the Pecos; went through Presidio into northern Mexico. In some stretches, water holes were 40 miles apart. Men chewed boots, to slake thirst. At smell of water, oxen ran.

Texans' commercial use began in 1835. Leather, silver, other metals came here over the road in big-wheel Mexican carts. On south to seaports went some of the goods. In the Civil War, the route brought rope, hats, shoes, salt and other goods to Texas.