The Camino Real in Hays County
The road that made Hays County the crossroads of Texas
by R Edward Moore
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Canaquedista was the name the local Indians used for the springs at the headwaters of what is now know as the San Marcos River. It was also used for the springs at New Braunfels. It means "where the water rises" in reference to the springs. After the two recent floods in New Braunfels and San Marcos locals agree with the meaning, but in a much different way. The Indians were attracted to this place for the same reasons generations of other peoples would be attracted to the springs, they are remarkable spots of great beauty and great resources.
People have come to Canaquedista for as long as people have been in the
area. Archeological excavations at the spring have found artifacts ranging
from flint Clovis dart points dating back 11,500+ years ago too gun parts
from the 19th century too beer can pull tabs from the 1970s.
When Governor Domingo Teran de los Rios arrived at the springs in San Marcos in June of
1691 he found thousands of Indians from 6 or more different tribes camped
there. The region between the Guadalupe, the Balcones Escarpment and the
Colorado River was common ground for Indian tribes from many distant places
to come together in the summer to hunt buffalo and trade. The Jumano from
far west Texas were there. Teran also found the Chalome and Chaynaya, tribes
he knew from the region of Monterey Old Mexico were he had started from.
At other similar camps in the area, such as the springs in New Braunfels,
other Spanish explorers found many other tribes including the Caddo or Tejas
Indians from east Texas. The Tejas are the Hasinai Caddo Indians from whom
we get the word Texas, meaning "friends" or allies. Dozens of
tribes large and small came every year to this region to camp together and
trade. When they came they used well known and used Indian trails -- the
same trails used by the Spanish explorers. For more information on the
Indians along the Camino Real go to
www.TexasIndians.com
The trail from Monterey Mexico to San Marcos and from San Marcos to the
Caddo Indian villages in East Texas was one of these trails. Using Indian
guides familiar with the trail, many Spanish explorers and expeditions used
it. They often camped at and crossed the San Marcos River where the trail
crossed the river, just downstream from the springs.
That trail came to be used regularly by the Spanish and was named the Camino
Real or Kings Highway.
This earliest of Texas roads was used first by Spanish explorers, Later
the Spanish used it to supply the east Texas missions. It spans Texas going
from Monterey Mexico to Louisiana.
The springs, river and nearby area have had just about every kind of Spanish
Colonial presence, the road itself, a Spanish town, and a Spanish mission.
With a road connecting the springs and river to both Mexico and the missions
in East Texas, the Spanish found the springs just as attractive as the Indians
did. In 1755 the mission of San Xavier was moved from farther west to the
San Marcos springs area. In 1808 the Villa or town, of San Marcos de Neve
was established a short distance down the river from the springs at the
river crossing. It was a natural stopping place on the Camino Real for travelers
going from Mexico to East Texas. One branch of the road crosses the river
just to the east of San Marcos at hwy 21, the other older branch goes right
through the town.
Later, American settlers would be attracted to the springs and the surrounding
area.
Edward Burleson, a hero of the Texas revolution, Vice President of Texas,
Senator, statesman, Indian fighter, General and militia leader arrived at
the springs in 1847 and shortly after built his house above the springs. Burleson is in many ways the epitome of an early Texian
He was a leader in the battle of Bexar with Ben Milam capturing San Antonio
for the Texian revolutionary forces in 1835 - thus setting the stage for
the later battle of the Alamo. He later led the Texian charge at the battle
of San Jacinto. Burleson helped found the town of San Marcos with the main square on the
old road, the Camino Real. As a state Senator he then persuaded the Texas
Legislature to create the new county of Hays, named for his old friend Texas
Ranger Jack Hays.
San Marcos and New Braunfels have always been destinations for travelers. People have come to
this geographical and cultural crossroads of Texas for eleven thousand years.
Because of the combination of the natural resource of the springs and the
river and the historical resources of the Camino Real and the Spanish, Mexican,
Texian and American history, it would be hard to find any other places in Texas
with so much authentic history and so many historical cultures in one place.
Today the old Camino Real is one of the region's most valuable historical
and tourism assets. Passing about a 1.5 miles from the Outlet mall and between
New Braunfels and San Marcos it is a good sightseeing trip for any visitor.
Currently the old route of the Camino Real is being designated a National
Historical Trail by the National Park Service.
To see a part of the old Camino Real go east from San Marcos, out hwy 80,
just past the hwy 21 turn-off. Look for the historical markers and turn
right on Old Bastrop road. Keep a sharp eye out for the many historical
markers. This is a nice scenic drive. Stay on Old Bastrop road till you
hit Interstate 35. The other older route follows Hunter Road south of San
Marcos to Gruene in New Braunfels. Or you could go up Highway 21 to Bastrop.
Highway 21 is built on top of the old Camino Real.
For more information on the Camino Real or things to do in San Marcos
contact:
The San Marcos Chamber of Commerce.
1-888-200-5620
www.sanmarcostexas.com/tourism
2-1-2005