Spanish Road to Santa Fe, 1808

Amangual was about sixty-nine when he led the march. Born on Majorca about 1739, he entered the Spanish army in 1762, served in the Batavian and Spanish dragoon regiments and distinguished himself in the Sonora expedition of 1767-71. At San Antonio de Bexar he became paymaster in 1784, and in 1797 led a failed pursuit of Comanches who had raided the Refugio mission's ranch. He guarded the coast during Philip Nolan's 1800 expedition and escorted Nolan's captured companions to Saltillo, then captained a company at La Bahia in 1804-05. He retired a captain and died May 19, 1812.

What the plaque says

Spanish Road to Santa Fe, 1808 Most direct road from San Antonio to Santa Fe, during Spanish era in Texas, 1519-1821. Charted for closer ties between Mexico City and New Mexico, after American explorer Zebulon Pike blazed trail from U.S. to New Mexico. Spanish road of 1808 was mapped by Capt. Francisco Amangual and 200 soldiers. Amangual, veteran of 46 years of service to Spain, left San Antonio on March 30, 1808. On April 8, coming into this valley 5 miles to the south, he followed the East James (then called El Chimal Creek, for its bordering bluffs that resemble Indian headdresses), and camped that night by this red bluff. The party saw much game, including buffalo, and killed a bear. Stampedes and losses of horses and mules (some loaded with crude sugar and other food) made the trip difficult. The route pointed north-northwest. The party reached Santa Fe on June 19, and six months later returned to San Antonio. Although Zebulon Pike (discover of Pike's Peak) had traveled with only eight men, Amangual had to field a large party. One goal of his expedition was to impress the wild and fierce plains Indians with the might and glory of Spain. The road measured in 1808 has traces visible today, parallel to auto roads. (1967)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Eckert James River Bat Cave Preserve — 8.9 mi
  A limestone cave on the James River where about four million Mexican free-tailed bats raise their young each summer, kept open to visitors by a family's gift.
• Fort Mason — 23 mi
  A reconstructed officers' quarters on Post Oak Hill above Mason, standing where the army's stone fort was taken apart by the town that grew up below it.
• Kimble County Historical Museum — 25 mi
  A free county museum in Junction, the town at the meeting of the North and South Llano, with the papers, photographs and tools of a ranching county.

More markers nearby

• Creed Taylor — 5.1 mi
• Site of Creed Taylor Ranch Home — 7.4 mi
• St. Anthony Catholic Parish — 12 mi
• St. James Lutheran Church — 12 mi