About Us
The recently designated El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail was originally established to connect a series of missions and posts between Monclova, Mexico and Los Adaes, the first capital of the province of Texas. The Trail constituted the only primary overland route from the Rio Grande to the Red River Valley in Louisiana during the Spanish Colonial Period from 1690-1821.
Get to know our history and the Association more!
Regions
The Trail is split into four regions to ensure that we have geographic diversity along the path. One member of the Board of Directors represents each region. According to our bylaws, the remaining board members can reside anywhere.
Mission
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail Association promotes and advocates El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail. The Association seeks to protect the historic integrity of the trail, its contributions to tourism and economic development along its path, and to educate the public about its resources and opportunities.
Association Board
The Board of the Association is comprised of 15 individuals from geographic diversity along the Trail (ensured by our regions policy). This is the first interim board of the Association. To date, the accomplishments of the current board are extensive, which include: the non-profit organization status, the bylaws, the membership and the website.
Association History
Since obtaining the status of a 501(c)3 non-profit organization in 2006, the Association has been building memberships and partnerships with County Historical Commissions and Chambers of Commerce across Texas. Also, since the Trail ends in Mexico City, the Association has created and maintained relationships with historic entities within Mexico.
The Association has also assembled a passionate Board of Directors devoted to spreading the knowledge of the Trail’s historical significance to future generations. Together with other National Historic Trails, members help host and attend conferences and hold annual and regional meetings.
Thus far, funds for the Association have been provided from base funding to the National Park Service, which we urge Congress to continue to appropriate. However, in order to increase our influence as an Association, we have begun fundraising, collecting membership dues and developing relationships with private donors.