Jones-Plummer Trail - Beaver, Oklahoma
Posted by: BruceS
N 36° 48.433 W 100° 31.230
14S E 364366 N 4074565
Historical marker located outside the Jones-Plummer Trail Museum giving the history of the trail in Beaver, Oklahoma.
Waymark Code: WME64J
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 04/08/2012
Views: 4
Text of marker:
Jones - Plummer Trail
In early 1870s C.E. (Ed) Jones and Joe Plummer blazed historic trail which is an important part of Oklahoma Panhandle's rich heritage.
These two pioneers established trading post on Wolf Creek in central Oghiltree County Texas, south of Beaver. Supplies for post were first hauled from Dodge City Kansas railhead by wagon over trail to Fort Supply and then westward to site. Jones scouted new more direct route across what later became Beaver County. Buffalo hides major trade item for Jones and Plummer were first cargo over new route which bore their names.
Critical supplies for Generals Nelson, Mileand and Philip Sheridan were brought over the trail to support famous 1874 Campaign Against Plains Indians. Materials hauled down trail to build Fort Elliott in northwest Wheeler County Texas which then became southern terminus. Later thousands of cattle were herded over trail to Dodge City for rail transport to eastern markets.
Midway of trail, near Beaver River crossing, James Lane built sod house in 1880 and established station to accommodate teamsters and cowboys using this road near this point on south side of river section of rutted trail later became Beaver's Main Street.
Beaver County Historical Society 1983
Oklahoma Historical Society