Flamingos, an Invasive Species

Flamingos are not native to Texas, and yet we have an entire herd of them at Rocky Hill. They are partial to the pond on Fofenique, and can also be seen from across the water at the Tea Party on Rabbit Hole.

How did they come to be there? That is a question for the history books as Fofenique trail was named after a group of Native traders who established a meeting place for other traders. Because of a central location and nearby water in the Colorado River it soon became a popular stop for folks traveling in covered wagons from the East with a desire to live more adventurously out West.

These traders might have anything to swap. Whatever they thought to bring along could be fair game for trading. Useful items, such as tools, food, and other supplies were the most traded, though more diverse items could be found. And one day a traveler coming from the Everglades for a life out west had brought along a mating pair of Flamingos. While showing them to the curious in the hope of getting something more useful in exchange, the birds escaped.

Their ancestors are the exceptional water fowl you might see while on the trails.

Though nothing now exists to establish the exact location of the once busy trading post, we do know it's name. The Natives who founded the place were of the Fofenique tribe and they were well respected back in the pioneer days for their comforting topical made from indigenous plants harvested along the river. Everyone just called the place Camp Fofenique.

Many a traveler found relief in the tribe's unique salve and how it gave comfort to those who had encountered bites, thorns, and stickers tormenting them over a long day in the saddle, or on the buckboard.

The place grew for a while and nearly made it, but the railroad going through nearby Smithville eventually took away the trade the dedicated and ingenious entrepreneurs had depended upon. But word got around and the clamoring for their product grew as stories of its healing properties continued to spread.

Eventually, the tribe was able to build their business to a remarkable size as the popularity of the product was strong and this led them, generations later, to commercialize their pain relief remedy and ramp production on a massive scale.

It is still named after that original camp at the traders crossroads.

That should give you something to think about while admiring those flamingos.