The lines between ecotourism and historic tourism are blurred. For example, a
Comanche Traditional Cultural Property can be a historic site, a Comanche Marker
Tree, a Smoke Signaling Point, a rock art site, and more.
https://ctclusi.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/NPS_QuickGuide_TCP.pdf
We will focus the Ecotourism space to be most helpful to those whose primary interest
is in exploring the nature/culture interface. We will be highlighting trail destinations that
help you understand Comanche historic landscapes (including mesas, rivers, springs
and a wide range of ecosystems that are surviving remnants of Texas Comanche
landscapes). We will recommend the best times to visit these historic landscapes to
more fully understand them and appreciate their beauty. Sometimes a season is
important; or it may be the best time of day to fully experience the Spirit of Place of
these landscapes. Here is a good definition of Spirit of Place from Google:
The “Spirit of Place”; also known as genius loci, refers to the unique and
distinctive characteristics of a place, often those that evoke a strong emotional
connection or sense of belonging. It encompasses both tangible elements like
buildings and landscapes, and intangible elements like history, culture, and
personal memories.
As a cultural anthropologist researching Texas Comanche history and land use, I often
encounter historic landscapes with a very strong “Spirit of Place.” I hope you will, too. I
have found that when you understand the history of the place that you are visiting then
the Spirt of Place will resonate more with you. I also take some time to spend alone at
these places and to reflect on the people who once called it home. This is a quiet time
to reflect and allow intuition to guide your experience.

PENATUHKAH COMANCHE TRAILS “PREVIEW” CONCLUDES JUNE 1st, 2025

THREE SIGNIFCANT EVENTS REMAIN

Mother Nature did not cooperate with wildflowers this spring. The lack of fall
rains reduced our expected carpet of spring wildflowers to what some have called a
late blooming “ribbon” of wildflowers along the state highways that were once
Comanche Trails. We are hoping for plentiful autumn rains and a carpeting of
Indian Paintbrushes, Bluebonnets, Indian Blankets and more wildflowers for the
Grand Opening of the Penatuhkah Comanche Trails next Spring! We have three
exciting closing events of the “Preview” of the Penatuhkah Comanche Trails in
May.

SATURDAY, MAY 17th, 2025 at 2:00 PM

FORMER COMANCHE TRIBAL CHAIRMAN WALLACE COFFEY TO BE HONORED AND SPEAK ABOUT THE COMANCHE RETURN TO TEXAS

Former Tribal Chairman Wallace Coffey (he served 6 terms as Tribal Chairman between 1992 and 2022) will be honored for 30 years of facilitating the Comanche return to Texas.

He will speak about his experiences and reflections on facilitating this return at the annual FUNTIER DAYS celebration in SANTA ANNA on Saturday, May 17th, 2025 at 2:00 PM at the Santa Anna Visitors Center/Museum.

COMANCHE STORYTELLER GUY NARCOMEY WILL ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE WITH COMANCHE STORYTELLING AND SINGING IN BOTH COMANCHE AND ENGLISH

Guy Narcomey is a Comanche Tradition Bearer, Storyteller and Educator who
will share stories and songs followed by Q&A with the audience at two events during the last weekend of May.

Don’t miss these entertaining andeducational closing events for the “Preview” of the Penatuhkah Comanche
Trails!

During the early stages of our research project that became the Penatuhkah Comanche
Trails Partnership, we realized that one of our most significant goals should be to
encourage identification, awareness and conservation of the Comanche Traditional
Cultural Properties (TCPs) in the Penatuhkah Trails region in Texas. Because of the
loss of some very significant TCPs due to gravel and sand quarrying and other
destructive land uses, we became aware that we must find an economic engine to
protect, rather than destroy, these significant places. We learned that Ecotourism and
Historic/Heritage Tourism are multi-billion dollar economic engines worldwide! We
decided these were the economic engines we needed to preserve this Comanche Texas
history and the landscapes and cultural resources associated with it.
Did you know that the shape of Texas is recognized world-wide and that the frontier
history of Texas is projected onto that image? Did you know that archives all over
Europe contain correspondence and reports from the Texas Frontier? Did you know
that the Comanche Nation and Fredericksburg, Tx recently celebrated a 175 years-old
treaty of Peace and Friendship? That the Comanche Nation has a sister city in Japan?
We believe that the Penatuhkah Trails can develop international tourism that will help
create that economic engine to preserve, restore, and interpret Texas Comanche
history!
Outreach to the Comanche Nation, Texas ranchers, towns, cities and other potential
partners began in the early 1990s. We have a growing coalition of supportive partners
who have successfully raised awareness of the value of these historic landscapes. We
have spent three decades exploring and documenting “Spirit of Place.” Here’s a good
definition from google:
The “Spirit of Place” also known as genius loci, refers to the unique and
distinctive characteristics of a place, often those that evoke a strong emotional
connection or sense of belonging. It encompasses both tangible elements like
buildings and landscapes, and intangible elements like history, culture, and
personal memories.
The PCTP has been successful in identifying TCPs throughout the Texas region once
called home by the Penatuhkah Comanche band. We have also helped create

partnerships between Texas ranchers and Penatuhkah Comanche descendants that
permit Comanche descendants access to scared places and TCPs in their former Texas
homeland. Some ranchers have been recruited to work with us to document additional
cultural resources and significant Comanche landscapes on their property. Some of
these ranchers will be offering guided tours of some the TCPs in their property. This
will create an additional stream of income for these ranches that will help ensure the
protection of these TCPs by the ranchers who understand their importance. If you are a
rancher with potential TCPs on your property, the PCTP will assist you with evaluating
them. If you are interested in touring Texas ranches located in the Penatuhkah
Comanche homeland, we will help you arrange tours. We willalso be announcing
events that are free and open to the public to help you learn more about Penatuhkah
history and land use. These events often provide opportunities to meet members of the
Comanche Nation and learn directly from them about their fascinating history and
culture in Texas. We also sponsor art shows and other events and activities.
The Penatuhkah Comanche Trails Partnership hopes you will join us is enjoying
adventures in Penatuhkah Comanche and Texas History! The final events for our
“preview” season of the trails will conclude in May 2025. Please check our event
schedule for details. Our Fall Tours and Trails preview will be in the Fall 2025. We will
be posting a schedule this summer. It will feature Comanche Marker Trees and Smoke
Signaling site tours along with many other fall events hosted by partner cities and
towns.