Comanche War Trail LbNA #25083 (ARCHIVED)

In the eighteenth century, the Permian Basin was a very different place. There were no mesquite and no tumbleweeds. The terrain was grassland as far as you could see, and great herds of buffalo numbering into the millions roamed the plains. The mighty Comanches came riding into this area, driving the Wichitas and Caddoes to the east and the Apaches to the west, and driving deep into Mexico. A majestic figure with strong, sharp features, the Comanche had a dignified manner. He wore colorful costumes of beaded and fringed buckskin. Quick mobility and a fierce, dominating spirit were keys to the Comanche’s strength. For a hundred years or more, the skillful thieves reveled in large scale raids into Mexico, so regular that Mexicans called it “Comanche Moon” when the Indians came to steal women and children for slaves, as well as horses, cattle and mules. Eventually, many roads converged into a mile-wide path called the Great Comanche War Trail. The trail stayed to the east of the Cap Rock, on to the present site of Big Spring, and continued on to Mexico by way of Comanche Springs, the present location of Fort Stockton, passing about 20 miles southeast of this spot. When West Texas became important as a route to California, the U. S. Army brought troops to protect the travelers. In 1876, Col. William Shafter’s soldiers forced the Comanches into government reservations.

Directions:

This box is placed at Comanche Trail Park in Odessa. From Interstate 20 you will take exit 115 and turn north at the traffic light (S County Road West or FM 1882). One-half mile north of the Interstate you will see a sign for the park on the right. Turn and park in the parking lot.

To the box:

Look for a picnic area on the south side of the parking lot and a trail that starts next to it. The trail has two red metal marking posts. Take the one that says “Start. As you walk the trail, you will pass a playground on the left with an elephant, lion, turtle and hippo in the corner and the playground equipment in the middle. Keep going and you will cross two footbridges. Keep going and you will see a bench on the right side that is marked with stones. From this bench continue on down the trail 53 steps. You will be looking for several mounds on the right. Stop and face the second mound. You should see a tree that splits into 4 branches about 38 steps off the path. The camo box is in the fork of this tree about 2 feet off the ground.