Corn Trail, Old

Surveyed in 1850 by Army engineers, this was the first wagon road to penetrate this area. Point of origin was San Antonio, site of U.S. Army District Headquarters after annexation of Texas in 1846. This segment of road extended from Fort Gates (in Coryell County) to Fort Griffin (Shackelford County) and Fort Belknap (Young County). Although used for communications and troop movements, most common traffic was in supplies--especially feed for Army horses and mules. Hence the name "Corn Trail." Presence of the road and its traffic from fort to fort encouraged settlement. In 1851 John A. and J. M. McGuire moved to a site near here on Indian Creek. James H. Neel settled on Resley's Creek in 1852; in 1854 James Mercer and Capt. Frank Collier pitched tents on Mercer Creek, soon to be joined by their families and the Holmsleys and Tuggles. Collier put up first log house; Holmsley plowed first furrow. By Christmas of 1855 there were enough citizens here to petition for a county, and Comanche County was created by the Texas Legislature Jan. 25, 1856. The Corn Trail was a main civilian thoroughfare, and continued to serve its original purpose as a route for frontier troops and supplies. (1967)

Corn Trail, Old is a historical marker in Comanche, Comanche County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 47 historical markers documented in Comanche County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 80 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 31.8976, -98.6141 near Comanche. The nearest cataloged historic site is Comanche County (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Comanche County Museum, First Comanche County Courthouse, and Fleming Oak.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5093003712. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.