Nabedache

Replaced with a new box in a new location, using original stamp on 8-31-2015. You should discard any clues printed before this date.

The Nabadache Indians (originally called Tejas by the Spanish) were the westernmost of the nine tribes of the Hasinai Confederacy in East Texas, linguistically related to the Caddo. Their homeland was west of the Neches River in what is now Houston County, Texas, centered around a village also known as Nabadache, which was located roughly where the Mission Tejas State Park now stands. They built thatched huts, generally shaped like beehives. These were made by setting wooden poles in the ground and gathering them at the top, then covering them with grass or bark. They lived mostly in scattered rancherias, farming and hunting. During the two Spanish occupations (1690-1693 and 1716-1821), missions were established for the Nabedache. They refused to Hispanize, however, maintaining good but reserved relations with the Spanish. They retained their own culture and independence. Between the 1750's and 1799 the Nabedache were the dominant tribe among the Hasinai. They interacted with the Spanish regarding French trade, war with the Apache, and relations with the Comanche and other tribes to the west. In 1800 they were faced with Indian and American encroachment and the effects of disease. Within seven years they were reduced to 120 people. During the period of the Texas Republic (1836-1845), they were forced into central Texas, where they faced hostile Comanche raiders and Texans. Under U. S. control after 1846, the Nabedache were removed to Oklahoma in 1859. Today they are listed under Hasinai and Caddo but are governed by their own tribal government.

Directions:
This letterbox is located at Mission Tejas State Park near Weches, Texas, which is on SH 21, twenty miles east of Crockett in Houston County, Texas. This box was placed with the approval of the staff at the park. Enter the park and stop at the office to pay the user fee and get a map. Follow the map to the mission and park there.

To the box.
When you're ready to find the box, go around the pond and cross the two long bridges. Continue up (I do mean up!) Cemetery Hill Trail until you can see the cemetery through the trees on the left. You'll see a sign for Cemetery Hill Trail on the left and, to the right, a bench at the trail junction. Continue past the bench a few yards and look for a very tall snag on the left, between the trail and the cemetery fence. The box is at the base of the snag on the right side under bark and debris. Please replace it and make sure it is hidden well. Be sure to check out other letterboxes in this park, like Lone Star Quilter's "Indian Trails-Quilt Block Series" and Princess Aurora's "Tejas Bell", as well as Wills World's Fraggle Rock box.

Hike Length: 1.2 miles