The Ozark Trails had nothing to do with cowboys or Indians, cattle drives or covered wagons.  It was a good roads organization in the early days of automobile travel.  The Ozark Trails Association was an organization of public-spirited good roads men to promote better roads and mark them for the convenience of travel.  It did not make the roads.  Businessmen supported the Ozark Trails to encourage tourism through their town knowing that people would stop to buy gasoline, food and other things.

Wellington was actually connected to the Ozark Trails from the east through Altus and Hollis, then Wellington and also from Chickasha, Hobart, Mangum and Vinson.  The westward trails were through Amarillo, Tucumcari and Santa Rosa and through Childress, Plainview, Littlefield and Roswell.

Few of the markers remain, but Ozark Trail markers can be found in Wellington, Dimmitt and Tulia, Texas.  The Wellington marker originally was in the middle of the intersection of East Avenue and Eighth Street but was moved to the lawn of the courthouse to protect it from wayward drivers.

Submitted by the museum staff

For more information on the Ozark Trail click on the following link:
http://www.drivetheost.com/pyramidsonthetra.html

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