The Southwest Trail was a 19th-century pioneer route that was the primary route for American settlers bound for Texas.
The Southwest Trail was originally an American Indian trace, and it was improved and expanded by European-American pioneers. The trail ran from St. Louis, Missouri, to Fulton, Arkansas on the Red River. At the time of Americans' first settling the Texas area, the Red River was the border between Mexico and the United States.
The trail is commemorated in the Historic Washington State Park near Hope, Arkansas.
Famous quotes containing the word trail:
“In one notable instance, where the United States Army and a hundred years of persuasion failed, a highway has succeeded. The Seminole Indians surrendered to the Tamiami Trail. From the Everglades the remnants of this race emerged, soon after the trail was built, to set up their palm-thatched villages along the road and to hoist tribal flags as a lure to passing motorists.”
—For the State of Florida, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)