Near Alpine in Brewster County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

Ancient Rocks Boundary

Photographed by Richard Denney, December 22, 2009

1. Ancient Rocks Boundary Marker

Inscription. The mountains toward the east are limestone reef beds deposited in the Cretaceous and Permian seas about 135 million years ago and 250 million years ago; respectively. The limestone reefs overlie deformed rocks in the Ouachita Fold Belt, which is visible along the highway to the east, near Marathon. To the south are younger limestone beds deposited about 125 to 135 million year ago. They also rest above the Ouachita Fold Belt (so named for the Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas-Oklahoma, where formation was first studied by geologists).

Toward the west, northwest, and southwest are layers of lava and associated volcanic rocks 25 to 35 million years old. These were thrust upward, into and over most of the older sedimentary rock layers. Many of the molten rock masses cooled and hardened underneath, while vast quantities poured over the surface in the form of lava flows and volcanic debris up to a mile in thickness. Subsequent erosion has sculptured these highlands by removing much of the younger volcanic rock, and cutting deeply into the older sea deposits. Out of the lower, igneous hills grow yucca and other cacti, contrasting

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with juniper and pinon on the higher elevations.

Erected 1970 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 157.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features.

Location. 30° 22.508′ N, 103° 32.019′ W. Marker is near Alpine, Texas, in Brewster County. It is at the intersection of U.S. 90 and U.S. 67, on the right when traveling west on U.S. 90. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Alpine TX 79830, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Texas’ Trans-Pecos & Big Bend Region.

It is also in the American Southwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the Republic of Texas,

and one of the Confederate States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Brewster County (here, next to this marker); Ranching in the Big Bend (within shouting

Photographed by Zacharias Beau T, circa December 10, 2012

2. Ancient Rocks Boundary Marker

Glass Mountains, 6,531 ft. above sea-level with yucca stalks and spears at roadside park and markers.

distance of this marker); Big Bend Ranching: North (within shouting distance of this marker); The Late Spanish Entradas (approx. 5.6 miles away); Early Spanish Entradas (approx. 5.6 miles away); Early Human Habitation (approx. 6.9 miles away); Lawrence Sullivan Ross (approx. 7.1 miles away); Burgess' Water Hole (approx. 7½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Alpine.

Looking northwest towards Alpine image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, December 22, 2009

3. Looking northwest towards Alpine

Marker is visible to right.

View across road from marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, December 22, 2009

4. View across road from marker

Ouachita Fold Belt image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 24, 2012

5. Ouachita Fold Belt

Brewster County Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Richard Denney, December 22, 2009

6. Brewster County Marker

This marker is co-located at this site, and is also visible in photo above, looking west to Alpine.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 17, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 11, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,404 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 11, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 2. submitted on November 24, 2012, by Zacharias Beau T of Alpine, Texas. 3, 4. submitted on January 11, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 5. submitted on November 7, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 6. submitted on January 11, 2010, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.