Historical Marker

Route of Marcy's Trail

Historical marker location:

Big Spring, Texas

( Comanche Trail Park, Big Spring)

Mapped by Captain Randolph B. Marcy, in charge of the U.S. Army detail guarding citizens bound for California gold rush.

Captain Marcy exploded theory that West Texas was a desert. In making his map, he traveled along a chain of springs and lakes known to Comanche guide Manuel. In October 1849, reached The Big Spring-a site marked by many converging Indian trails.

From here he went northeast, toward the Red River.

Trail was later used by many emigrants, and was followed by a transcontinental railroad and stagecoach line.