Marrow Bone Spring Archeological Site 🇺🇸

If you are exploring Arlington, Texas, add a stop at the Marrow Bone Spring Archeological Site to experience a place rich in local history. Situated in Marrow Bone Spring Park, just north of Vandergriff Park, this historic location was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 21, 1978. As an Indian habitat in the 1700s or earlier, the area holds deep historical roots where old Indian arrowhead stones were eventually discovered.

When you visit, you can reflect on its past as the site of the first white settlement south of the Trinity River in 1843, established by President Sam Houston's envoys on a peace mission. Later in 1845, Mathias Travis and I.C. Spence operated a trading post here, bartering staple food, mirrors, and black neckties with regional Indians in exchange for pelts and belts.

Local lore even links the site's unique name to a historical argument between La Salle and Sieur Moranget over buffalo bone marrow, witnessed by 11 Indians. Today, you can visit the area following trail and parking lot facility developments, along with erosion repair efforts initiated to protect this fascinating archeological landmark.

What to see at Marrow Bone Spring Archeological Site

• Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1978
• Former Indian habitat dating back to the 1700s or earlier
• Site of Sam Houston's envoys' 1843 peace settlement
• Location of an 1845 trading post bartering pelts for neckties and mirrors
• Theorized site of a historic argument over buffalo bone marrow

Visiting tips

Look out for the trail and dedicated parking lot facilities designed to make accessing this historic park area easy.

How long: 1 hour · Best time: Daytime

How to get there & what’s nearby

Marrow Bone Spring Archeological Site is easy to reach on Arlington’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Six Flags Over Texas and National Medal of Honor Museum. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Arlington travel guide.