Opelousas Trail

Named for one of several Atakapan-speaking Native American tribes originally connected by this trail, the Opelousas ran from La Bahia (later Goliad) to the Mississippi River in Louisiana. Evidence of cultural interchange between tribes indicates the presence of such a trail for hundreds of years. Spanish explorers, soldiers, and vaqueros employed this route. by the 1750s, French traders had been traveling the trail for about twenty years. After 1820 settlers began to arrive from Louisiana and other southern states. Don Martin de Leon and Anglo cattlemen such as James Taylor White and William B. Duncan herded large droves of cattle, mules, and horses to market in New Orleans. A post route was established along the Opelousas in early 1836. That spring, Texas pioneers fled along this path during the "Runaway Scrape." Later Santa Anna was led down the trail toward New Orleans and ultimately to Washington, D.C., as a prisoner of war. A stage and mail route followed the trail after 1850; the Confederate Army used the road to move troops during the Civil War. Use of the route continued throughout the 20th century. Many segments of the trail were incorporated into U. S. Highway 90 from Liberty to Orange. (1998)

Opelousas Trail is a historical marker in China, Jefferson County, dedicated in 1998. It is one of 109 historical markers documented in Jefferson County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 137 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0374, -94.4238 near China. The nearest cataloged historic site is Pivoto-Robinson Cemetery (historical marker), about 0.8 miles away. Others within a short drive include Pivoto-Robinson House, Haven of Rest (Claybar), and Beaumont, City of.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5245010549. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.