French in Texas

Were explorers and traders for about a century. Claimed coastal Texas early as 1685 when La Salle established his Fort Saint Louis colony. Another Fort Saint Louis, among Nassonite Indians, a few miles northwest of this marker, was founded in 1719 by a French captain, Benard de La Harpe, who came up the Red River. This fort was a center for trade with the Cadodacho (Caddoes) of northeast Texas and the Wichita, Tawakoni, Tonkawa and other tribes of North Texas. Over 250,000 French and Caddo Indian artifacts have been found near here-- including two millstones used in a flour mill near the fort. Although Spain claimed Texas earlier and during the time of La Harpe, this did not discourage the French; they traded as far south as the mouth of the Trinity until Louisiana was ceded to Spain in 1762. The chief French influence in east Texas was the Cavalier Saint Denis (1676-1744), who controlled Red River area of Louisiana, frequently coming into Texas. At first he prospected for silver and gold, as Spain had done. Later he found trading with the Indians was very profitable. The French had no policy against trading guns to Indians; partly for that reason they were more popular than the Spainards. (1966)

French in Texas is a historical marker in Texarkana, Bowie County, dedicated in 1966. It is one of 39 historical markers documented in Bowie County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 168 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 33.4931, -94.0434 near Texarkana. The nearest cataloged historic site is First Disciples of Christ in Texas (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Caddo Indian Village, Trammels Trace, and Red Springs.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5037009482. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.