CRHR Research Reports

Volume 1 Article 2

2-18-2015

Trammel's Trace on Printed Maps of the 19th Century

Kelley A. Snowden Stephen F. Austin State University, [email protected]

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Recommended Citation Snowden, Kelley A. (2015) "Trammel's Trace on Printed Maps of the 19th Century," CRHR Research Reports: Vol. 1 , Article 2. Available at: https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/crhr_research_reports/vol1/iss1/2

This Article is brought to you for free and open access by SFA ScholarWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in CRHR Research Reports by an authorized editor of SFA ScholarWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Trammel’s Trace on Printed Maps of the 19th Century

Kelley A. Snowden

Center for Regional Heritage Research, Stephen F. Austin State University ______

Trammel’s Trace was a nineteenth century road that traversed East . Recognized today as a historic cartographic feature, this road appeared in different ways on nineteenth century printed published maps over time, and in the mid-to-late nineteenth centu- ry was reduced from a route to a fragment. This study is the first to examine the portrayal of the Trace as a historic cartographic feature, how it was presented to the general public, how its portrayal changed over time, and why it appears on the maps at all. In addition, this study is the first to use geographic information systems (GIS) to analyze the presentation of the Trace on printed, published maps. ______

Introduction the portrayal of Trace as a historic car- summer of 2013 a general search was tographic feature, how it was presented conducted in the UNT Portal to Texas Named for Nicholas Trammel, Tram- to the general public, how its portrayal History and progressively refined. In mel’s Trace, Track, or Trail was a nine- changed over time, and why it appears all, 320 maps were examined for evi- teenth-century road that connected var- on the maps at all. In addition, this dence of Trammel’s Trace as a labeled ious towns in . As described study is the first to use GIS to analyze feature. Of those, fifteen editions of five on historical markers, the Trace was “ap- the presentation of the Trace on print- maps published from 1839 to 1872, proximately 180 miles long” beginning ed, published maps. included the Trace as a labeled feature. in “Fulton, Arkansas and continuing These maps are: Hunt, Richard S. and to Nacogdoches, Texas” (THC n.d.). This research is focused upon nine- Randel, Jesse F Map of Texas (1839, It joined with “the Spanish or Mexi- teenth-century printed maps of the Re- 1847, 1845); Arrowsmith, John Map of can Trace connecting early settlements public and State of Texas that include Texas (1841, 1843); Stempfle, G. Karte on the Red River with the El Camino Trammel’s Trace as a labeled feature. von Texas (1841); Wilson, James T. A Real near Nacogdoches” (THC 2008), These maps are significant because New and Correct Map of Texas (1845); ultimately extending “the great South- they assumed public authority by their and, Creuzbaur, R. J., De Cordova’s Map west Immigration Road from St. Louis very nature. Broadly distributed, these of the State of Texas (1849, 1851, 1853, (Missouri) into Texas” (THC 2008). maps were meant to educate members 1854, 1856, 1861, 1867, 1872) (Sup- The Trace first appeared as a labeled of the public about local geography. plementary Table 1). All of these maps feature on printed published maps with In addition, printed maps were an im- claim to be compiled from, or based Hunt and Randel’s 1839 Map of Texas. portant tool in the early promotion and on “the most recent surveys” (Wilson It is shown as a north-south route con- settlement of the Republic, and later 1845) or “records from the General necting Nacogdoches and Jonesboro, the State of Texas. Through these doc- Land Office of Texas” (Creuzbauer Texas. This depiction remained consis- uments the geography of Texas became 1849). To identify the potential sourc- tent on maps between 1839 and 1845. known in the United States and abroad, es for these maps, the digital map col- However, beginning in 1845, the Trace and served as advertisements to poten- lection of the General Land Office of began to change. Instead of a north- tial immigrants. Texas was explored for maps contain- south route, it is depicted as a segment, ing Trammel’s Trace as a labeled fea- Methods and its path can no longer be followed ture. Twenty one maps were identified with any degree of certainty. The tem- This study is based on maps identified (Supplementary Table 2). poral and spatial analysis herein illus- exclusively through the use of digital ar- trates that the portrayal of the Trace The labeled routes of Trammel’s Trace chives, using map collections available changed over time as a result of its role from both sets of maps were synthe- through the University of as a feature in the development of the sized in GIS. Data points along each (UNT) Portal to Texas History and the cartographic identity of the new Re- route were georeferenced and digitized Texas General Land Office. To locate public of Texas (ca. 1836-1845). This resulting in two compilations. The first nineteenth century printed maps of study contributes to the literature on compilation includes the routes la- the Republic and State of Texas, in the Trammel’s Trace as the first to examine beled as Trammel’s Trace on the fifteen

Published by SFA ScholarWorks, 2015 1 printed maps from the Republic and tions. The map is invaluable, as This map is nearly identical to the Hunt State of Texas (Figure 1). The second it is the first map of Texas ever and Randel 1839 map, with only minor compilation employs maps from the published, making pretensions changes, such as extending the route Texas General Land Office (Figure 2). to accuracy. This has been made beyond Lost Prairie to the Red River. A comparison of these compilations from actual surveys of the coun- However, these may be evidence of makes it possible to identify divergence try, so far as surveys have been printing or copying errors rather than between the fifteen nineteenth-century completed. Bound with the map changes to route. This map continued printed published maps and their pos- are some sixty pages of reading to be copied and republished in con- sible sources. matter affording more valuable junction with German immigrants’ information than can be ob- guides into the mid-1840s. The following discussion focuses upon tained elsewhere in ten times the the fifteen printed maps that contain space. In short, an emigrant to In 1841, John Arrowsmith published Trammel’s Trace as a labeled feature. Texas, if he knew its value would a new edition of his London Atlas of These maps, including original and sub- not do without it and any citizen Universal Geography, including, for sequent editions (where applicable), who often examines it will be al- the first time, a map of the Republic are discussed in chronological order. most sure to purchase. It can be of Texas. This map bears a similar title Many were published in conjunction had at the book store of Wm. W. to the Hunt and Randle map, Map of with guide books to the Republic and Allen, on Main Street in this city Texas compiled from Surveys recorded State of Texas and in atlases published ( Telegraph and Texas in the Land Office of Texas and other in the United States and abroad. Register 1840). Official Surveys. It was reissued with the Atlas in 1843 with minor changes. Results This map was the first that claimed to While Arrowsmith’s map shares several be based on original surveys from the similarities with the Hunt and Randel In 1839, Richard S. Hunt and Jesse F. General Land Office bears the seal of map of 1839, it was not published for Randel published a Map of Texas, Com- the Land Office and the Republic of promotional purposes, but to provide piled from Surveys. This map was pub- Texas, and is signed by multiple digni- new geographic information to a large lished with their Guide to the Republic taries (facsimile signatures). audience. While the Hunt and Randel of Texas: Consisting of a brief Outline of and Arrowsmith maps bear the seals of the History of Its Settlement: A General Trammel’s Trace appears on this map the and the General View of the Surface of the Country; Its as Trammel’s Trail. This label appears Land Office, Arrowsmith’s map does Climate, Soil, Productions; Rivers, Coun- north of Nacogdoches, between Nacog- not include signatures. However, like ties, Towns and Internal Improvements; doches and Cherokee Cross and forms on the Hunt and Randel map, the label The Colonization and Land Laws; List part of the border between Nacogdo- Trammel’s Trail appears only between of Courts and Judicial Officers; Tariff ches and Harrison counties. The label Nacogdoches and Cherokee Cross, and Ports of Entry &c. Accompanied by appears only once, and beyond Cher- with a northern connection to Jones- a New and Correct Map. Their efforts okee Cross the trail continues north boro, on the Arrowsmith map. This were supported by the General Land from Nacogdoches in a slightly sinuous route is consistent on the 1843 edition, Office and the guide was revised and route to Jonesboro. Southeast of Jones- with no changes being made to Tram- republished in 1844 and 1845 (Martin boro, there is an unlabeled route that mel’s Trail, or any other routes through 1990: 133). The following was includ- diverges and connects to Clarksville, East Texas. ed with the first edition: continuing eastward to Lost Prairie and La Grange. Fulton is on this map, but is By 1845 the density of routes increased We have been much delighted not connected to any route. dramatically to the north and northeast with looking over a little work of Nacogdoches compared to those de- just published, styled “A Guide to Hunt and Randel’s 1839 map was fre- picted on Hunt and Randel’s 1839 Map Texas with a Map.” It was com- quently copied and translated, with of Texas. However, despite growth in piled and arranged by Messrs. or without original credit being given. the transportation networks, only one Hunt and Randel as was ad- The Karte von Texas, published by G. segment continued to be labeled Tram- vertised some six months since, Stempfle (1841), may have been pub- mel’s Trail. Trammel’s Trail was identi- and though its appearance is lished with a translation of Hunt and fied as the route between Nacogdoches somewhat later than was prom- Randel’s Guide to the Republic of Texas, and Henderson. Hunt and Randel ised, its neatness and elegance specifically for German immigrants. republished this map in 1847 with no have far exceeded our expecta- https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/crhr_research_reports/vol1/iss1/2 2 Figure 1. Reconstruction of Trammel’s Trace routes from printed published maps.

Published by SFA ScholarWorks, 2015 3 Figure 2. Reconstruction of Trammel’s Trace routes from cadastral maps. https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/crhr_research_reports/vol1/iss1/2 4 significant changes in the presentation through 1872. The map was published place names, in this case Mt. Enterprise of Trammel’s Trail. and sold as a pocket map that folded to and Pine Hill. fit between the covers of a small book In 1845 R. W. Fishbourne published (Ristow 1985: 313). This map, like Trammel’s Trace on Promotion- James T. D. Wilson’s A New and Cor- the Hunt and Randel and Arrowsmith al and Atlas Maps - Compila- rect Map of Texas. Considered “perhaps maps, bears the seal of the General tion the best depiction of Texas on the eve Land Office, and the State of Texas. The of annexation” (Martin 1990: 133), map also bears signed statements sup- Routes from the Hunt and Randel, this map asserts to be both “New and porting the accuracy of the map and its Stempfle, Arrowsmith, Wilson, and Correct,” and “compiled from the most sources from the General Land Office. Creuzbaur maps were georeferenced recent surveys and authorities” (Wil- and digitized on a current county map son 1845). Wilson does not identify We the undersigned Senators of East Texas (Figure 1). The Hunt and those authorities and the map does not and Representatives from the Randel, Stempfle, and Arrowsmith bear any official seals. However, it is State of Texas do hereby certify routes produce a series of roughly paral- likely that Wilson relied on documents that we have carefully examined lel paths connecting Jonesboro directly from the General Land Office (Martin J. De Cordova’s map of the State to Nacogdoches. However, Trammel’s 1990:133). This map shows a relative- of Texas compiled by R. Creuz- Trace on the Wilson map (1845) dif- ly straight route from Nacogdoches to baur from the records of the fers dramatically from these three pre- Marshall, where the Trail splits into two General Land Office of Texas sentations. The Wilson route extends parallel tracks, one aiming due north to and have no hesitation in saying from Nacogdoches and veers north and Jonesboro and the other turning east to that no map could surpass this east passing midway between Jefferson Port Caddo. The segment between Na- in accuracy and fidelity. and Port Caddo, where it turns sharply cogdoches and Port Caddo is labeled west to connect with Clarksville and as Trammel’s Trail. Beyond Port Caddo It has delineated upon it every Jonesboro. Along this route the label the route continues north to Clarks- county in the State, its towns, Trammel’s Trace appears between Na- ville, but only the segment between Na- rivers, and streams and we cor- cogdoches and Marshall. Finally, the cogdoches and Port Caddo is labeled. dially recommend it to every route as depicted by Creuzbaur is large- person who desires correct geo- ly confined to the county line between Robert Creuzbaur, a surveyor and graphical information of our Rusk and Panola counties, where the draftsman, worked for the General state. To the persons desirous of Trace exists only as a segment. Land Office of Texas in the 1840s as a visiting Texas it will be invalu- mapmaker (Ristow 1985:459). In the able. These maps claimed to be “based on records of the Land Office, thirty-six the most recent surveys” and with the maps that date from 1847 to 1880 bear Trammel’s Trace appears on the 1849- exception of the Wilson map, all assert- his name. Creuzbaur worked with J. 1856 editions of this map but is shown ed that they were compiled with the De Cordova, a land speculator and only as a segment that is not connect- use of records from the General Land promoter, to compile and publish a ed to any other routes, serving only as Office of Texas. Established in 1836, new map of the State of Texas. Creuz- the border between Rusk and Panola the General Land Office of Texas took baur was the only cartographer among counties. In the 1861 edition signifi- charge of all land records in 1837 and those discussed so far who worked cant changes occurred that remained assumed control of all public (vacant) for the General Land Office of Tex- consistent through 1872. On these lands (TGLO 2010:9). To identify as as both a surveyor and mapmaker, later maps, Trammel’s Trace appears to maps that include Trammel’s Trace, giving him experience not only with originate in northwestern Nacogdo- Trail, or Track as a labeled feature a the territory being mapped, but also ches County and proceed northeast to general search was conducted within with the records of the Land Office Mt. Enterprise. From Mt. Enterprise it the digital map collection of the Gener- itself. In 1848 he was commissioned extends north to Pine Hill, on the bor- al Land Office for maps including those by J. De Cordova to compile a map of der of Rusk and Panola counties. From placenames. Twenty-one maps were Texas. Originally published in 1849, J. Pine Hill it completes the county bor- found which may have served as sourc- De Cordova’s Map of the State of Texas der, paralleling and eventually crossing es for the printed maps. Compiled from the records of the Gen- Martin’s Creek, and terminates at the eral Land Office of the State by Robert border of Harrison County. The label The location ofTrammel’s Trace on these Creuzbaur remained in publication Trammel’s Trace is found between two maps as a labeled feature varies widely.

Published by SFA ScholarWorks, 2015 5 The Trace appears as a series of discon- son’s map, demonstrating a direct link del (1839), Arrowsmith (1841), and nected segments of varying lengths on from his map to source maps from the Stempfle (1841), was a Spanish road the Bowie County (1840, 1841, 1897- Texas General Land Office (Figure 2). that appeared on Spanish maps as early 1931), Cass County (1848) and Titus Finally, on the Creuzbaur maps (1849- as 1807 with Jose Maria Puelles’ man- County (1858) maps. The only map on 1872) Trammel’s Trace is identified as uscript map, Provincia of Texas. Given which the Trace is indicated as a route part of the Rusk- Panola county line. that this road was used and mapped by to Fulton is the 1838 map of the bound- The Trace was formally incorporated the Spanish, why any part of it would ary between the Republic of Texas and as part of this border in 1846 (Ford bear the name “Trammel’s Trace” is the United States. Even here Trammel’s 1846:1). an open question. The explanation lies Trace is depicted as a segment accom- in the nature of printed maps and the panied by the note “To Fulton” (1838). On later maps of Texas, including the development of the cartographic iden- Wilson and Creuzbaur maps, Tram- tity of the Republic of Texas. Hunt and None of the maps from the General mel’s Trace is identified as part of a Randel’s Map of Texas in 1839 was the Land Office support the depiction of county line with the label nested be- first map of the Republic to claim au- the Trace as a complete north-south tween two placenames. As the road thority based upon records from the route directly connecting Nacogdoches network became more dense it became General Land Office. It was developed and Jonesboro. However, these maps il- diffucult to determine whether Tram- as part of a guidebook to the Republic lustrate a consistent route from Mount mel’s Trace was actually a continuous for potential settlers and was intended Enterprise to Jefferson, and demon- route, connecting a variety of places, to promote the Republic. Although it strate the use of the Trace as a county or if it was a single segment of a longer illustrates some physical features, it is boundary line separating first Nacog- route. Records from the General Land primarily a political map showing the doches and Harrison counties, and lat- Office support the depiction of the borders of the Republic and early coun- er Rusk and Panola counties (Figure 2). Trace as a county line, but not as a con- ties. While the cartographers may have tinuous route. Maps from the General intended the name Trammel’s Trace to Discussion Land Office identify small segments in apply to only a segment of an immi- both Cass (1848) and Bowie (1841- Early presentations of Trammel’s Trace grant’s road, as supported by sources 1862) counties as Trammel’s Trace but on printed maps are not entirely con- from the General Land Office, this -la these are isolated and not connected to sistent with their cited sources, docu- bel has been interpreted to encompass any larger route. While these segments ments from the Texas General Land the entire route from Nacogdoches to appear on maps produced by the Gen- Office. Hunt and Randel (1839), -Ar Jonesboro. Finally, although segments eral Land Office, they are not included rowsmith (1841, 1843), and Stempfle of Trammel’s Trace appear on maps in any of the maps of the Republic, or (1841), illustrate the Trace as a relative- of Bowie and Cass counties from the the State of Texas. Trammel’s Trace is ly direct north-south route connecting General Land Office these segments most consistently depicted on maps Nacogdoches to Jonesboro, a depiction do not appear on any of the fifteen from the General Land Office (1841 that is not supported by maps from the printed atlas and promotional maps – 1895) as a route connecting Mt. En- Texas General Land Office. However, identified in this study. If representa- terprise, Tatum, and Jefferson, with the the Trace’s use as an early county line tive of a longer route through East Tex- southern half of this route forming the separating Nacogdoches and Harrison as, possibly connecting to Fulton, the county line between Rusk and Panola counties is confirmed. In later editions route would likely have appeared on counties. of the Hunt and Randel maps (1845, published promotional maps. Instead, 1847), the Trace connects Nacogdo- nineteenth-century mapmakers chose Conclusion ches to Henderson, a route that is not to associate Trammel’s Trace with an confirmed by maps from the Gener- older Spanish road. This attribution of From 1839 to 1872, Trammel’s Trace al Land Office. On the Wilson map a known road to an early Anglo settler appears on printed maps of the Re- (1845) the Trace emerges from Nacog- helped to solidify the identity of the public and State of Texas. The label doches and terminates at Marshall fol- new Republic and disassociate this Trammel’s Trace consistently appears lowing the current Rusk-Panola coun- important local resource from Texas’ between two place names indicating ty line (Figure 1). In 1843, Trammel’s Spanish past. that the Trace may have been a seg- Trace was part of the border between ment of a larger route. The north-south Rusk, Harrison, and Nacogdoches route depicted on early maps of the counties and this is reflected on Wil- Republic including Hunt and Ran- https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/crhr_research_reports/vol1/iss1/2 6 Acknowledgements Texas General Land Office (TGLO) n.d. The apM Collection. Elec I wish to thank Mr. Charles Ashton for tronic resource, http:// his help in digitizing the routes, and www.glo.texas.gov/what-we- Dr. Robert Z. Selden Jr. for the produc- do/history-and-archives/ tion of the maps used in this article. I our-collections/ArcMaps/ also wish to thank Dr. Mark Barringer index.html., accessed May 5, and the anonymous reviewers for their 2014. comments on earlier drafts. Texas Historical Commission (THC) References Cited n. d. Trammel’s Trace Historic Marker, Jefferson, Texas. Creuzbaur, Robert J. Texas Historic Sites Atlas. 1849 De Cordova’s Map of the State Electronic resource, http:// of Texas. University of North atlas.thc.state.tx.us, accessed Texas, Denton. May 5, 2014.

Ford, John S. (Editor) Texas Historical Commission (THC) 1846 The Texas Democrat. The 2008 Trammel’s Trace Historic Portal to Texas History. June Marker, Texas Historic Sites 17, 1846. Electronic resource, Atlas, Dalton, Texas. http:// http://texashistory.unt.edu/ atlas.thc.state.tx.us (accessed ark:/67531/metapth48324, May 5, 2014). (accessed May 5, 2014). University of North Texas Martin, James C. and Martin, Robert S. n. d. The ortalP to Texas History, 1990 Maps of Texas and the South http://texashistory.unt.edu/. west, 1513-1900. Texas State Electronic document, http:// Historical Association, Aus texashistory.unt.edu/, ac tin. cessed May 5, 2014.

Ristow, Walter W. Wilson, James T. D. 1985 American Maps and Map 1845 Yale University Library makers: Commercial Cartog of Digital Collections. Elec raphy in the Nineteenth Cen tronic resource, http://digital. tury. Wayne State University library.yale.edu/cdm/com Press, Detroit. poundobject/collec tion/1026_1/id/2735, ac Texas General Land Office (TGLO) cessed May 5, 2014. 2010 Texas General Land Office. Public Lands. September 2010. Electronic document, http:// www.glo/what-we-do/histo ry--and-archives/_docu ments/histoy-of-texas-public- lands.pdf, (accessed May 5, 2014).

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