Undated portrait of Benjamin Davis Wilson and his family. Source: LAPL
Wilson served as Mayor of Los Angeles from 1851-1852. Wilson also organized the first Los Angeles police force. President Millard Fillmore appointed him Indian agent and as a result of his experience wrote a history of the Indians of the area. In 1855 and 1869, he was elected to the California Senate. Mount Wilson was named for him. One of his daughters, Ruth, was the mother of Gen. George Patton.
Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area. Photo by John Hiscock
Rob Sweeten, Bureau of Land Management Old Spanish Trail National Historic Trail Administrator, Mike Taylor and Jill Jensen of NPS-NTIR, look over terrain on Mormon Mesa. Photo by John Hiscock.
One of the rugged, unforgiving, Mojave Desert segments of the trail at Emigrant Pass. Photo by Jack Prichett
Somewhere near the Armijo Route in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. Photo by William Ramsay.
Beautiful day in the San Luis Valley near the Old Spanish Trail. Photo by John Hiscock.
Sign pointing the way in Northern New Mexico. Photo by John Hiscock.
Tags denoting Original Route of the Old Spanish Trail represent reseach, dedication.
At-Large OSTA Board member introduces the trail at a recent event in Los Angeles. Photo by Lenny Trujillo.
Looking over the Colorado River near the Utah border.
Lost Spring Wash looking east. Photo courtesy John W. Hiscock.
Easterly sweep of the Shinarump, or Chocolate Cliffs. Vermilion Cliffs, and White Cliffs in background. All are part of John Wesley Powell's Grand Staircase. Photo courtesy of John W. Hiscock,
Stump Spring kiosk. Photo by John Hiscock.
Archaeology field trip near Brown Springs, California. Photo by Jack Prichett.
Volunteers and Boy Scouts prepare signs in Iron County, Utah. Photo courtesy St. George News.
Left, sketch by Joseph Heger of Agate Butte, Rattlesnake Canyon, Colorado, Loring expedition, 1858 (courtesy The Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library). The Butte (actually of sandstone) today. Photo courtesy David Miller
Field trip near the rugged Armijo Route, a full day for members of the Armijo chapter. Photo by Paul Ostapuk.
Native American awl examined near the Old Spanish Trail is a reminder of the rich, important contributions of the earliest travelers on the trail. Remember, all archeological resources on federal lands are protected by law. Look but do not remove!
Dogs are welcome on many of the segments of the trail - please check your local community for leash requirements.
One of our many silhouettes on the trail - this one is near the Fishlake Cutoff in Utah.
Native Americans' culturally modified trees are just one of the many projects in which OSTA members are engaged.The identification and study of culturally modified trees are of interest to OSTA and its Native American partners.
Look for trail signs - remember, the Old Spanish Trail covered six states.
Reenactors at Fort Uncompahgre, Delta, Colorado. Photo courtesy Fort Uncompahgre.
Welcome to the Trail! This metal sculpture is a whimsical site near Castle Dale, Utah. Photo by Conchita Marusich.