Shafter's Trail

In 1875, Col. Wm. R. Shafter and a company of soldiers traveled from Fort Concho (where San Angelo is today) to Monument Springs, N. Mex., charting the arid plains, mapping all the vital watering places. This marker is in the only town of today through which Shafter's Trail passes. Here Col. Shafter, defending his party, chased Indians who ran 12 miles to the northwest. Thus he found the salt lake known ever after by his name. His expedition's maps of this formerly unknown land opened the Permian Basin to settlement. (1965)

Shafter's Trail is a historical marker in Andrews, Andrews County, dedicated in 1965. It is one of 13 historical markers documented in Andrews County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 15 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.3141, -102.5454 near Andrews. The nearest cataloged historic site is Billionth Barrel (historical marker), about 0.4 miles away. Others within a short drive include Andrews County Courthouse (1939), Original Townsite of Andrews, and Early Settlers of Andrews County.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5003004654. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.