Old Bastrop Highway Creek Crossing

“Lost?” a voice cracked from the parched throat of a weathered traveler. “Not on the Old Bastrop Highway, son. Just… thirsty.” The Old Bastrop Highway Creek Crossing. A lifeline in this sun-baked land. Once, it marked the edge of civilization, the last reliable water source before venturing into the unknown. Today, we stand at this same crossing, the gentle murmur of Plum Creek a stark contrast to the roaring engines that now traverse the modern highways nearby. The Old Bastrop Highway, a vestige of the Old San Antonio Road, still clings to this crucial crossing. It was here in 1840 that hundreds of Comanche warriors thundered across, their horses’ hooves churning the water, on their way to the ill-fated Great Comanche Raid. A historical marker nearby commemorates this event, a chilling reminder of the clashes between cultures that shaped this land. But this crossing wasn’t just a warpath. It was a vital artery for trade, migration, and settlement. The very lifeblood of this region flowed through this crossing, nourishing the fledgling communities that sprang up along its banks. Even before the Comanche raid, this crossing held significance. In 1807, the Spanish, wary of American encroachment from Louisiana, sought to solidify their claim on Texas. They authorized the establishment of a colony right here at this crossing. In 1808, Don Felipe Roque de la Portilla led a small band of settlers to this very spot, establishing the short-lived village of San Marcos de Neve. Their dreams of ranching and prosperity were dashed by relentless native raids and a lack of government support. By 1812, the village was abandoned, a ghostly testament to the harsh realities of frontier life. The crossing lay dormant until 1846 when Anglo settlers arrived, laying the foundation for the modern city of San Marcos a few miles upriver. The Old Bastrop Highway Creek Crossing then became known as McGehee Crossing, after Charles L. McGehee Jr., who acquired the land in 1859. What was once a precarious ford is now a sturdy low-water bridge. Yet, the original ford remains, a popular spot for those seeking respite from the Texas heat, floating down the San Marcos River on inner tubes. The Old Bastrop Highway Creek Crossing. A place where history whispers on the wind. From Spanish colonists to Comanche raiders, from early settlers to modern-day Texans, this crossing has borne witness to the ebb and flow of life in this land. So, the next time you find yourself at this unassuming crossing, take a moment to listen. The stories of the past are etched in the stones, murmured by the creek, and carried on the breeze. They are waiting to be rediscovered, to be shared, to keep the spirit of this vital crossing alive.