The Unexpected Results of Curiosity
(Article written for the Houston Archaeological Society).
My interest in Trammel’s Trace began in 2004 as a simple curiosity about the possibility of an old road crossing family land in Rusk County. Research, both in archival material and on the ground, led to my book in 2016. The ripple effect in the recognition of this early road since that time has been remarkable and unexpected.
A renewed archaeological awareness of the significance of Trammel’s Trace began in 1972 because of studies required for lignite mining in Harrison, Rusk, and Panola counties (see 41RK36, 41RK3). For my own research, I read the field notes from hundreds of Original Texas Land Surveys and mapped the trail across eight counties. That effort led to my production of a Google Maps version of the trail’s route.[1] The detailed mapping resulted in Trammel’s Trace being added to the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, one of only two historic roads to be plotted there.[2]
In 2023 a TxDOT project for widening Hwy 315 from US 259 to the Panola County Line near our family land could potentially impact some of the best remaining swales of Trammel’s Trace. That project staff is now well-informed of how highway plans could impinge on historic remains of the old road.[3]
What began as curiosity has now left a lasting impact on the historical record, influenced future research and development in the state, and there is a very fine Trammel’s Trace marker in Nacogdoches that is well worth a visit.[4]
Notes
[1] https://garylpinkerton.com/trammels-trace-maps.
[2] https://atlas.thc.texas.gov/Map.
[3] https://www.txdot.gov/projects/projects-studies/tyler/sh315-us259-to-panola-co.html.
