History in the mystery

This week’s Where Is It? Mystery is a bit of a history lesson. So, it will not be surprising if the answer is hard to uncover. It will take two photographs here for the reader to have a clear picture. The question is where does Trammel’s Trace cross Texas State High 77?

Trammel’s Trace was the first road to Texas from the North, according to the title of Gary L. Pinkerton’s book. An historical marker designates where the path crosses the road. Ready for the answer?

First, look at the two pictures, then read the explanation here.

ANSWER

The short answer is Trammel’s Trace crosses Highway 77 at Dalton. More precisely, this is behind the white building which is now a community meeting place and once was the Dalton Baptist Church. The trace is a swag in the grass going southward off into the woods. It is exciting to see and realize. Here’s what the accompanying historical marker tells.

“Prominent Texas pioneers travelled this site as they entered Texas by the historic Trammel’s Trace. This trace joined the Spanish or Mexican Trace which then joined with the El Camino Real near Nacogdoches.

In 1813, horse trader and smuggler Nicholas Trammel established the road beginning at Fulton, AR. Trammel was extending the Great Southwest Immigration Road from St. Louis into Texas.

“The trace entered Texas north of Texarkana, crossed the Sulphur River into Cass County at Epperson’s Ferry. Trammel likely reused trails that were worn down by centuries of use by game animals, Native Americans and the Spanish.

“By the 1850s, other roads from other communities joined the trace and a community developed near a hub of early roads. It would be Old Unionville. Although the community no longer exists, research has located this settlement. Today, few vestiges of Trammel’s Trace remain ... but continued use of this section into the 20th century as a county road preserved this portion of the immigration route.”