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Finally,I will brle^y_jnen6lorrsaii?'19t±i oentury maps. First, the Original Township Plats (n.d.) of; th^Gulf Coast townships,,which were made shortly after the lands came Into the possessiono3rTh§~United States, do not depict_an eest:*est_rxad along the. coast. A series of maps of the Mississippi area ranging in date fran 1806 through 1819 also do not depict an east-west thorouhfare through the area (Darby 1816; LaFcn 1806; Melish 1819). It is not until much later that any east-west roads appear cn state maps (e.g. Cowperthfcoite 1850; Morse and Breese 1842; Tanner 1836).
In conclusion, I can not find any real evidence that an 18th century interregional road that came to be known as the Old Spanish Trail ever,existed. It would seem that the name came into cannon usage during the early 20th century with the attempt to construct the transcontinental paved highway. Certainly,the mere usage of the name !,01d Spanish Trail" mist have suggested an historical precendent for the highway, which,in fact, did not exist. However, I must emphasize that I make no claim to having absolute knowledge. It is quite possible that information could ccme to light that would call for a reassessment of my position.
Additionally,it is quite probable that many of the roads that have been identified with the Old Spanish Trail are of .fairly early origin, for eixample Rrarf in Harrison County and River Road in Jackson County. Sane may have even been Indian trails. Such roads will need to be documented on an individual basis.
Jack D. Elliott, Jr.
Historical Archaeologist Northeast Mississippi Field Office Mississippi Department Of Archives & History