After centuries of use by buffalo and Indians, this trail from San Antonio to the Texas coast gained importance when opened to colonial travel by the Alarcon Expedition in 1718. Spanish conquistadores and priests, the Gutierrez-Magee Expedition (which invaded Spanish Texas in 1812), Stephen F. Austin, Alamo heroes, Santa Anna's messenger ordering the death of prisoners at Goliad, Polish and German settlers of Texas-- all traveled on road. Rich trade in gold, silver, and leather with Mexico and the West was conducted along the road from San Antonio to Powderhorn. The U.S. 2nd Cavalry Forts, established to protect the Texas frontier, moved men and supplies over it. Materials were transported in two-wheeled ox-carts, prairie schooners, Wells-Fargo wagons drawn by sixteen mules, and by pack animals. In 1852 Helena was founded on road as a midway point between San Antonio and Goliad; Lewis S. Owings operated a daily stage line here, 1854. Major incidents of the Bizarre Cart War of 1857 between Texan and Mexican teamsters occurred near Helena. Herds of longhorns from South Texas crossed the road here enroute to market. After the railroad came through county in 1886, the Ox-Cart Road was abandoned.
Ox-Cart Road (Section of Chihuahua Road)
The roadside stories worth pulling over for.
Ox-Cart Road (Section of Chihuahua Road) is a historical marker in Helena, Karnes County, dedicated in 1967. It is one of 26 historical markers documented in Karnes County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 45 historic sites cataloged across the county.
The site sits at 28.9528, -97.8205 near Helena. The nearest cataloged historic site is Helena (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Helena Union Church, Helena Courthouse, Old, and Ruckman, Thomas.
This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5255003892. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.
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