U.S. and Republic of Texas International Boundary Marker

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International Boundary Marker:
Once Divided The United States and The Republic Of Texas

Historical Marker

INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY MARKER

IN THE EARLY 1700's, FRANCE AND SPAIN BEGAN DISPUTING THEIR
NEW WORLD INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY THAT INCLUDED THIS AREA;
EACH NATION CLAIMED WHAT IS NOW TEXAS. WHEN THE U.S.
PURCHASED THE LOUISIANA TERRITORY FROM FRANCE IN 1803, THE
BOUNDARY WAS STILL IN DISPUTE. LEADERS AGREED TO A NEUTRAL AREA BETWEEN THE ARROYO HONDO AND THE SABINE RIVER, AND
IN THE 1819 ADAMS-ONIS TREATY FORMALLY DEFINED THE BORDER.
WHEN TEXAS BECAME A REPUBLIC IN 1836, IT APPOINTED A JOINT
COMMISSON WITH THE U.S. TO SURVEY AND MARK THE ESTABLISHED
BOUNDARY FROM THE GULF OF MEXICO UP THE SABINE RIVER AND
ON TO THE RED RIVER. JOHN FORSYTH REPRESENTED THE U.S., AND
MEMUCAN HUNT REPRESENTED TEXAS IN THE WORK, WHICH PROVED
TO BE LONG AND DIFFICULT.

THE SURVEY CREW BEGAN THE DEMARCATION PROCESS ON MAY
20, 1840 AT THE GULF, PLACING A 36-FOOT POLE IN THE MIDDLE OF A
LARGE EARTHEN MOUND. PROCEEDING NORTH, THEY PLACED EIGHT-
FOOT POSTS DENOTING THE NUMBER OF MILES FROM THE 32ND
PARALLEL. UPON REACHING THE PARALLEL, THEY PLACED A GRANITE
MARKER ON THE WEST BANK OF THE SABINE RIVER. FROM THAT
POINT, THEY TRAVELED DUE NORTH TO THE RED RIVER, COMPLETING
THEIR WORK IN LATE JUNE 1841.

AS A RESULT OF EROSION, THE FIRST GRANITE MARKER ON THE
SABINE FELL INTO THE RIVER LONG AGO, BUT A SECOND GRANITE
MARKER ON THE NORTHWARD PATH OF THE SURVEYORS HAD BEEN
PLACED HERE TO MARK THE NORTH-SOUTH MERIDIAN. THIS IS THE
ONLY KNOWN MARKER REMAINING, AND IT IS BELIEVED TO BE THE
ONLY ORIGINAL INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY MARKER WITHIN THE
CONTIGUOUS U.S. TODAY, THE BORDER BETWEEN TEXAS AND
LOUISIANA FOLLOWS THE SABINE RIVER TO THE 32ND PARALLEL, AT
WHICH POINT IT CONNECTS TO THE BOUNDARY ESTABLISHED BY
HUNT AND FORSYTH. THE TEXAS HISTORICAL FOUNDATION
PURCHASED THIS SITE TO PROVIDE PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE EARLY
BOUNDARY MARKER.

(2004)

Trail Notes:

Location: Historical marker in Panola County, Texas, FM 31. The international boundary marker is immediately at the Texas-Louisiana border, still sort of dividing Texas from Louisiana (Panola County/DeSoto Parish).
Weather: 54 degrees, sunny with light chilly wind.
Arrived at 4:35 PM
Two visitors; myself and a companion.
See a full sized image of the historical marker, with readable text, here.
Date of visit: March 17, 2008

Notes:
Well marked with signs (on the Texas side) that call your attention to the site. On a windy day it's wise to wear sunglasses to keep debris (blowing sand/dirt) out of your eyes. Like many historical monuments, this area's beauty is affected by trash and litter.