HomeMy WebLinkAboutPike National Historic Trail Association 10060 Blue Sky Tr Conifer, CO 80433 Phone: 303/816 -7424 Cell: 303/909 -0716
Mayor Ben White March 17, 2
1101 Texas Avenue CJl v .,�....
College Station, TX 77840 MAR 2 2. 2010
Dear Mayor Ben White,
We are seeking your help and support for the creation of the Pike National Historic Trail.
If the City of College Station would pass a resolution or an open letter of support for the establishment of the Pike
National Historic Trail, it would go a long way toward saving this important historical contribution made to Texas by the
1806 -1807 Zebulon Montgomery Pike Expedition.
Zebulon Pike was one of the first U.S. citizens to make a significant contribution to Texas history. Prior to his
expedition, the Spanish had largely drawn a veil of secrecy over Tejas, and Pike's passage through the province and his
subsequent published report presented Americans with their first detailed look at Texas. His report was in many ways a
revelation, particularly since his status as an officer lent an "official" air to its publication. His observations of the sweep
and richness of the land, of its prairies teeming with game and wild horses, became a primary document in the
bibliography of America's nascent march toward the Texas Republic. Pike's commentary also provided one of the first
literary snapshots written by an American of the human side of Spanish Texas as well. We believe that not only is the
saga of Pike's trip through Texas wonderful narrative history, but that economic and educational benefits would be
derived through site preservation, tourism, and historical research for those communities who embrace the national
historic trail concept.
Pike camped in College Station June 18, 1807. Pike's path in Texas is called today the El Camino Real de los Tejas
National Historic Trail. The Pike designation will enhance this trail and Texas' heritage efforts.
A Texas historian claims that Pike was the 1st American to travel legitimately through a then 118071 sparsely populated
Texas. He collected information perhaps leading to the Republic of Texas and statehood.
A Santa Fe Trail historian states Pike was the first to provide details about Texas which led to increased U.S. interest
and, in 1821 (Mexican independence), & U.S. citizens settling in Texas. Pike deserves as much credit for encouraging
settlement of Texas as he does for the opening of the Santa Fe trade.
For more detailed information on Zebulon Pike's exploration of the Louisiana Purchase and travels through Missouri,
Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico, Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, please visit our website at
<http: / /www.zebulonpike.org >. Texas map links are: http: / /zebulonpike.org /maps /texas /MAINTXwest.pdf and
http://zebulonpike.org/maps/texas/MAINTXeast.pdf
The Pike NI-IT FACT Sheet http : / /zebulonpike .org /docs /PikeFactSheet.pdf and example letters are available upon request
to harv.pike @gmail.com. This is important for you to read because it clears up many questions we have been asked.
Please help to save this important historical contribution by supporting this legislation. Now is your chan . • • . •
save history especially in Texas.
.....,&-...4,:
Sincerel
•
Hary Hisgen, Pres nidd t Clive Siegle, Teacher, Dallas, Texas
Please send any communication to:
The Pike National Historic Trail Association 10060 Blue Sky Trail Conifer, CO 80433
PS. This is NOT requesting financial support. We are not asking for local or state funding rather simply support for
federal legislation. Maintenance costs are minimal once the Pike NHT is designated because roads are used for the Trail.
The trail like the El Camino Real de los Tejas is likely to be managed by the NPS and BLM. Counties and towns; and
the public will be the benefactors. See the Pike Fact sheet referenced above.