Bucareli

The settlers did not pick this crossing at random. In 1774 Antonio Gil Ybarbo's families, sent from Los Adaes and waiting in San Antonio, won leave to return only as far east as the Trinity. Governor Ripperda liked the spot where the Bexar road met the La Bahia road, near the main Bidai village, as a place to watch for French contraband and begin missions. After the move to Nacogdoches, Ybarbo was accused of smuggling in 1791, cleared, then barred from returning there; he was allowed to live in Louisiana and died in 1809 at Rancho La Lucana.

What the plaque says

Bucareli In this vicinity, at Paso Tomas on the Trinity, was the Spanish town Nuestra Senora del Pilar De. Bucareli (1774-1779) Indian troubles had caused Spain to move Louisiana colonists to Bexar (San Antonio). These people, however, pled to return to East Texas, and secured the consent of Viceroy Antonio Maria Bucarelo. Led by Gil Ybarbo (1729-1809), they built at the Trinity crossing a church, plaza, and wooden houses, and grew to a town of 345 people. But ill luck with crops, a few Comanche raids, and river floods sent the settlers farther east. Again led by Ybarbo, they rebuilt the old town of Nacogdoches, 1779. (1972)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Fort Boggy State Park — 19 mi
  A 1,847-acre park in Leon County named for a settlers' palisade of 1840, with a 15-acre lake, short trails and the story of Tennessee farmers, the Keechi and a Ranger captain.

More markers nearby

• Robbins Ferry — steps away
• Site of Trinidad — 0.6 mi
• Midway Church of Christ — 4.3 mi
• Elwood Methodist Church — 6.0 mi