The Old Dirt Road
From the time of the earliest penetration of this upper valley by white men, the trail from Mina to the foot of the mountains, where Austin now stands, was along the north side of the river, and the distance was called forty miles. This trail had been partially blazed out by prospectors who came to look at the county at different times in the ‘20s. It was further defined in March, 1830, by Stephen F. Austin, with surveyors and a few colonists, who meandered the stream on its north side from Mina to the west line of the Tannehill league, some three miles east of the present Congress Avenue.
Among those who came up in 1830 [were] Reuben Hornsby, Martin Wells, Jesse Tannehill, and the Wilbargers, who had previously made their selections. But actual surveys were not made before March, 1830, as stated. All the travel from the lower country to the mountains, was over this trail. It was a rough road, over and around the hills in many places, crossing the creeks near their mouths. A rise in the river would back the water up the creeks, thereby rendering the road for a time impassable, except for horsemen, who would swim them.
The old road around Piney creek at Bastrop, following the trail, then pursued the route over the hills, crossing Sandy and Wilbarger creeks near the river; thence up the valley through Wilbarger’s prairie, Well’s prairie, Webber’s prairie, and Hornsby’s along the foot of the hills, crossing Gilleland and Walnut creeks not far from the river. The road ran over the hills in places where they bluffed on the stream. The Colorado between Bastrop and Austin is tortuous; and, as the old road conformed to the general course of the river, the distance was not less than ten miles greater than a trail that was sometimes traveled by crossing the river twice – once at Bastrop and again near the mouth of Wilbarger creek. Ox-wagons carrying freight, or families, and travelers on horseback or afoot, went the old road.
There were no regular stages until the fall of 1845. The first so-called stages, which were usually nothing but light two horse wagons, without springs, were put on by Brown and Tarbor (sic) during that year. The first Concord coach ever seen in Austin was in 1847. It was a novelty to many, especially those who had grown up in the country. It attracted much attention.
About 1850 a shorter route was opened. The road ran as before down the valley and crossed the river at the home of John D. Nash, about twenty-two miles below Austin (Nash resided upon the south bank.) From this point to Bastrop was about eight miles, the road pursuing nearly a straight course down the prairie valley, and crossing the river from the south side at the town of Bastrop, making the distance about 32 miles – a shorter and better route every way.
Among those who came up in 1830 [were] Reuben Hornsby, Martin Wells, Jesse Tannehill, and the Wilbargers, who had previously made their selections. But actual surveys were not made before March, 1830, as stated. All the travel from the lower country to the mountains, was over this trail. It was a rough road, over and around the hills in many places, crossing the creeks near their mouths. A rise in the river would back the water up the creeks, thereby rendering the road for a time impassable, except for horsemen, who would swim them.
The old road around Piney creek at Bastrop, following the trail, then pursued the route over the hills, crossing Sandy and Wilbarger creeks near the river; thence up the valley through Wilbarger’s prairie, Well’s prairie, Webber’s prairie, and Hornsby’s along the foot of the hills, crossing Gilleland and Walnut creeks not far from the river. The road ran over the hills in places where they bluffed on the stream. The Colorado between Bastrop and Austin is tortuous; and, as the old road conformed to the general course of the river, the distance was not less than ten miles greater than a trail that was sometimes traveled by crossing the river twice – once at Bastrop and again near the mouth of Wilbarger creek. Ox-wagons carrying freight, or families, and travelers on horseback or afoot, went the old road.
There were no regular stages until the fall of 1845. The first so-called stages, which were usually nothing but light two horse wagons, without springs, were put on by Brown and Tarbor (sic) during that year. The first Concord coach ever seen in Austin was in 1847. It was a novelty to many, especially those who had grown up in the country. It attracted much attention.
About 1850 a shorter route was opened. The road ran as before down the valley and crossed the river at the home of John D. Nash, about twenty-two miles below Austin (Nash resided upon the south bank.) From this point to Bastrop was about eight miles, the road pursuing nearly a straight course down the prairie valley, and crossing the river from the south side at the town of Bastrop, making the distance about 32 miles – a shorter and better route every way.
This is a good telling of Montopolis and Austin. Born and breed in Montopolis 1961. The country club was our playground, the fields north of club terrace (Mary Vice) property now known as Hogan Street and the fields south all the way to fairway we’re our playgrounds. We’d walk through the country club north all the way to the river and swam there. So much better than today. I saw Montopolis before they paved the road and bought candy, bruce’s fried pies and RC cola pops from Culp’s store. There used to be a general store at the entrance of Grove trailer park back in 68 but Long gone. Not many people remember that store. I had a childhood you cannot pay for today. Montopolis was the greatest place to grow up. Went to Dolores Catholic School until it closed in 1971. During the summers we did summer happings, camp kuwana in lampasas and Rene Ramirez camp in 71. What a time to live.
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