(pg. 9) Turn right on Martin Springs Road which leads across a lake, driving over a small bridge, and resuming the drive through the forests. Your entrance into Alexander Forest Wildlife Management Area is marked by a sign on your right. You will pass two small roads leading off to the right, but continue straight ahead to Marker #4.
Marker #4 designates the site of the William "3 C's" Martin home of pre-Civil War period where Ford stopped with his slaves.
(pg. 10) The trail probably enters the site of the Martin homestead ("the Big House") from the rear, while the original trail leads to the front of the house site.
It was certainly a beautiful place with cold, clear water from Martin's Springs, which were probably not far behind the house at the foot of the small hill on which the house stood. The hill is partly encircled by the very pretty little creek running off from the springs.
Martin Springs Road, on which you are riding, runs to the rear of the old William C.C.C. Martin homesite. The original path through the woods, taken by Ford and the three slaves, entered from the front of this site.
To the right of Martin Spring's Road, the old Martin Cemetery lies to the left. Behind the modern cemetery, down the path still visible through the woods, about fifty feet distant lies the old cemetery. In it, is the broken tombstone over the grave of Wm. C.C.C. Martin, his wife, and other family members. Martin was one of the most prominent of the Rapides Parish planters and president of the parish police jury.
I hope you finish posting the rest of the Northup trail sites! I will be visiting the area early next year and would love to see images from the rest of your little book. Thanks for making this available!
ReplyDeleteHey Katie, I've pretty much finished posting the pages of the book on here. Hope you enjoy it. I will be posting more research about the people mentioned in this tour book, as well as my ancestors.
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