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The
Old MacKenzie Trail1936
Texas Centennial Monument in Plainview
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Historical
Marker TextThe Old
MacKenzie TrailGeneral
Ranald Slidell MacKenzie
The Old MacKenzie Trail by "Larry" Chittendon
Stretching onward toward the sunset, o'er prairie, hill and vale, far beyond the
double mountains winds the Old MacKenzie Trail. Ah, what thoughts and border memories
does that dreaming trail suggest, thoughts of travelers gone forever to the twilight
realms of rest. Where are now the scouts and soldiers, and those wagon trains
of care, those grim men and haggard women and the echoes whisper - where? Ah,
what tales of joy and sorrows could that silent trail relate: tales of loss, and
wrecked ambitions, tales of hope, of love, and hate: Tales of hunger, thirst,
and anguish tales of skulking Indian braves, tales of fear, and death, and danger,
tales of lonely prairie graves. Where are now that trail's processions, winding
westward sure and slow? Lost: ah, yes, destroyed progress, gone to realms of long
ago. Nevermore shall bold MacKenzie, with his brave and dauntless band, guide
the restless, roving settlers through the Texas borderland. Yes, that soldier's
work is over, and the dim trail rests at last, but his name and trail still lead
us through the borders of the past.
The MacKenzie Trail first crossed by General
Ranald Slidell MacKenzie, 4th United States Cavalry, in 1871 in quest of warring
bands of Indians.
Erected
by the state of Texas with funds appropriated by Federal government to commemorate
one hundred years of Texas independence. - 1836 - 1936 |
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