Near Nolanville in Bell County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Comanche Gap
Photographed by Richard Denney, June 8, 2021
1. Comanche Gap Marker
Break in mountain chain from Lampasas River to Nolan Creek. Route to one of oldest Indian trails in Southwest, and escape point for Comanches after last raid in Bell County. On March 14-16, 1859, the Indians killed four settlers, including John and Jane Riggs. They captured Rhoda and Margaret, daughters of the Riggses, but abandoned them here at the gap as they fled from a posse. Public feeling after this raid led to a campaign against the Comanches, led by Maj. Earl Van Dorn, commanding U.S. Cavalry.
Recorded Texas Historical Landmark - 1967
Erected 1967 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 990.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Indigenous Peoples and Communities. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 31° 3.105′ N, 97° 38.005′ W. Marker was near Nolanville, Texas, in Bell County. It was on Comanche Gap Road. The marker was at the intersection of Comanche Gap Road and FM 2410, 2 miles southwest of Nolanville, Texas. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Nolanville TX 76559, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in Central Texas. It was also in the American South. Globally, it was in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, and one of the Confederate States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Nolanville School (approx. 1.7 miles away); Nolanville Encampment (approx. 2.1 miles away); Pleasant Hill Cemetery (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Pleasant Hill Cemetery (approx. 2.6
this page online
More about this marker. The marker has previously been reported missing to the Texas Historical Commission.
Also see . . . Kileen Daily Herald news article about the marker. (Submitted on June 8, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
Photographed by Richard Denney, June 8, 2021
2. Comanche Gap Marker
Photographed by Richard Denney, June 8, 2021
3. Comanche Gap
View north towards Comanche Gap from today's Stillhouse Hollow Lake.
Photographed by Richard Denney, June 8, 2021
4. Comanche Gap Marker
Photo of intersection where marker was located.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 8, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 2,572 times since then and 207 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2021, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
