Historical Marker

The Chihuahua Road

Historical marker location:
Ocean Drive, Site of the Town of Indianola, Port Lavaca, Texas
( From Port Lavaca, Take FM238 S/SW 3 miles to FM316, follow FM316 about 8.75 miles, turn right on Brighton Rd. Follow Brighton Road SW about 1 mile. It joins Ocean Drive. Go about .5 mile. Turn right. Loop circles small knoll where marker will be located)
Marker installed: 2012
Marker size: 27" x 42" with post

THE CHIHUAHUA ROAD

BETWEEN 1844 AND 1887, INDIANOLA GREW TO BECOME A COSMOPOLITAN PORT CITY THAT WAS SECOND ONLY TO GALVESTON. INDIANOLA BECAME A PORT FOR TRADE AND WAS THE EASTERN TERMINUS OF THE CHIHUAHUA ROAD THAT TRAVELED OVERLAND FROM THE MINES OF CHIHUAHUA CITY IN MEXICO. THE MINES OF MEXICO WERE PRIMARILY SILVER, BUT ALSO INCLUDED COPPER, ZINC AND LEAD. OTHER TRAILS, SUCH AS THE SANTA FE TRAIL, WERE LONG AND DIFFICULT ROUTES. THE CHIHUAHUA ROAD BECAME POPULAR AS A MORE DIRECT ROUTE, TRAVELING FROM INDIANOLA-MATAGORDA BAY, THROUGH SAN ANTONIO, ALONG THE BALCONES FAULT TO THE RIO GRANDE THROUGH ALPINE AND MARFA AND THEN TURNED SOUTH TO MEXICO AND UP THE CONCHOS RIVER TO CHIHUAHUA CITY. THE CHIHUAHUA ROAD’S SEVERAL PARTS WERE KNOWN AS THE INDIANOLA ROAD OR GOLIAD CART ROAD, THE OLD SPANISH TRAIL AND THE GOVERNMENT OR MILITARY ROAD, AND, IN MEXICO, EL CAMINO DEL RIO CONCHOS.

BY THE 1850s, HUNDREDS OF WAGONS AND MEXICAN CARRETAS WERE OUTFITTED IN INDIANOLA FOR THE LONG AND DIFFICULT JOURNEY ACROSS A WIDE VARIETY OF TERRAIN. FROM 1844 TO 1886, SCORES OF TOWNS IN WEST TEXAS ALONG THE CHIHUAHUA TRAIL WERE ESTABLISHED AS A RESULT OF TRADE BETWEEN INDIANOLA AND CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO. THE CHIHUAHUA ROAD CONTINUED UNTIL 1877 WHEN A HURRICANE DESTROYED INDIANOLA AND RAILROADS REPLACED TRAILS. SURVEYS HAVE UNCOVERED EVIDENCE OF THE TRAIL AND LAND SURVEYOR REPORTS FROM THIS PERIOD HAVE HELPED LOCATE THE EXACT ROUTE. FOR MORE THAN THIRTY YEARS, THE CHIHUAHUA TRAIL PLAYED A DOMINANT ROLE IN MOVING ITEMS OF COMMERCE, TRAVELERS AND MILITARY SUPPLIES AND PERSONNEL THROUGH THIS PART OF NORTH AMERICA.

(2012)

As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.

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Texas is also home to the world's largest honky-tonk, Billy Bob's Texas in Fort Worth. The venue covers three acres and can hold up to 6,000 people.
Texas random facts
Calhoun County, located in southeastern Texas, has a rich and diverse history that dates back centuries. The region was originally inhabited by several Native American tribes, including the Karankawa and Coahuiltecan peoples. European exploration began in the 16th century when Spanish explorers arrived, followed by French and English settlers in the 18th century.

During the early 19th century, Calhoun County became a part of the Mexican state of Coahuila y Tejas. However, with the Texas Revolution in 1836, the region gained independence from Mexico and became a part of the Republic of Texas. The county was officially established in 1846 and was named after John C. Calhoun, a prominent statesman and U.S. Vice President.

The economy of Calhoun County has always been closely tied to agriculture, particularly rice and cotton farming. The presence of rich soil and a favorable climate made the region ideal for agricultural production. Later, after the construction of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway in the early 20th century, the county's economy grew with the expansion of the fishing and shrimping industries.

One significant event in the county's history occurred in 1942 when the U.S. Army established the Matagorda Island Army Airfield. The airfield served as a training facility during World War II and trained thousands of pilots. Today, it is part of the Matagorda Island Wildlife Management Area and is a popular tourist destination.

Calhoun County's history is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of its people. The region continues to flourish, balancing its agricultural heritage with advancements in energy, tourism, and commerce, making it a vibrant and thriving community.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Calhoun County, Texas.

  • 1832 - The area now known as Calhoun County is part of the Mexican territory of Coahuila y Tejas.
  • 1836 - Texas gains independence from Mexico and Calhoun County is established as a separate entity.
  • 1839 - The town of Indianola is founded and becomes a major port on the Texas coast.
  • 1852 - Calhoun County is officially organized, with Indianola as its county seat.
  • 1875 - A hurricane devastates Indianola, leading to the decline of the town as a major port.
  • 1886 - Port Lavaca becomes the new county seat of Calhoun County.
  • 1931 - The Discovery Well is drilled, leading to the discovery of oil in Calhoun County.
  • 1945 - The Calhoun County Navigation District is created to oversee the development and maintenance of the Port of Port Lavaca.
  • 1961 - The Texas Gulf Sulphur Company begins operations in Calhoun County, leading to a significant economic boost.
  • Today - Calhoun County is a thriving coastal community with a strong economy based on industries such as petrochemicals, agriculture, and tourism.