Near Comstock in Val Verde County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Site of Vinegarroon

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 9, 2010

1. Site of Vinegarroon Marker

Inscription.

Crossing the Pecos River Canyon was the last major obstacle the Southern Pacific Railroad faced in completing its southern transcontinental route linking New Orleans and San Francisco. As "Tunnel No. 2" was excavated on the west side of the canyon in 1882, a camp for the railroad workers was established near the site. Named Vinegarroon for a type of scorpion found in the area, the camp served as a temporary home for thousands of primarily Chinese laborers. Roy Bean had a saloon and served as Justice of the Peace in Vinegarroon until it was abandoned after the rail line was completed in 1883.

Erected 2001 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 12694.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Asian Americans • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1882.

Location. 29° 45.969′ N, 101° 23.181′ W. Marker is near Comstock, Texas, in Val Verde County. Marker can be reached from U.S. 90, 4½ miles north of the Pecos River, on the left when traveling north. Marker is one of three in a roadside pull-off about 4.6 miles northwest of the Pecos River High Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Comstock TX 78837, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers

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are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Near Site, Southern Pacific Ceremony of Silver Spike (within shouting distance of this marker); Railroad Bridges Over the Pecos (within shouting distance of this marker); The Pecos River in Literature and Folklore (approx. 4.6 miles away); Pecos River High Bridge (approx. 4.6 miles away); Medal of Honor Fight, 1875 (approx. 4.6 miles away); Pecos High Bridge (approx. 4.6 miles away); Fitzsimmons-Maher Prizefight (approx. 10½ miles away); Eagle’s Nest (approx. 10.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Comstock.

More about this marker. Google Maps identifies the area as Del Rio Northwest, TX

Additional keywords. Alien workers.

"Site of Vinegarroon" marker is one of the three image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Richard E. Miller, August 9, 2010

2. "Site of Vinegarroon" marker is one of the three

relocated to this roadside pull-off, northwest of the Pecos River High Bridge.

Photographed By Jim Evans, June 4, 2009

3. Site of Vinegarroon Marker

Gazebo in roadside park associated with marker

Stone ruins of Vinegaroon high above the Rio Grande River image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William F Haenn, January 2003

4. Stone ruins of Vinegaroon high above the Rio Grande River

Site is on private property and directly above tunnel #2. The 1883 S.P.R.R. roadbed is clearly visible traversing along the left canyon wall of the Rio Grande.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 4, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,550 times since then and 93 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 3, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 2. submitted on October 4, 2010, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on November 21, 2011, by Jim Evans of Houston, Texas. 4. submitted on May 19, 2012, by William F Haenn of Fort Clark (Brackettville), Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.