Near Kermit in Winkler County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)

The Sand Hills

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012

1. The Sand Hills Marker

Inscription. Mapped by U.S. Government, 1849, for gold seekers and settlers. Known earlier to Indians and many Spanish explorers. A 100-mi. belt of sand in Winkler and 4 other Texas counties and in New Mexico. Width varies from 3 to 20 miles; outer dunes are held by dwarf oaks. Water at 2' depth supports willows, cottonwoods, and a plum thicket. (The plums gave food to early settlers.)

Many dunes more than 70' high. Heavy, shifting sands a natural barrier to travel. Campsite and game reservation for Indians.

Now part of expansive cattle ranges and rich oil fields.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - 1967

Erected 1967 by State Historical Survey Committee. (Marker Number 4561.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 31° 57.714′ N, 102° 57.908′ W. Marker is near Kermit, Texas, in Winkler County. It is on State Highway 115 half a mile north of Farm to Market Road 874, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Kermit TX 79745, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in West Texas.

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 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Blue Mountain (approx. 7.9 miles away); Moorhead Cable Tool Rig (approx. 9.9 miles

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away); Kermit (approx. 10.1 miles away); Texas Territorial Compromise of 1850 (approx. 10.2 miles away); Colonel C. M. Winkler (approx. 10½ miles away); The Community Church (approx. 10½ miles away); Old Duval Townsite (approx. 12.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kermit.

Other markers no longer nearby. Kermit's Oldest Home (was approx. 9.9 miles away but has been confirmed missing); Winkler County Courthouse (was approx. 10½ miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012

2. The Sand Hills Marker

Sand Hills in background.

Oil Well in the Sand Hills image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, October 25, 2012

3. Oil Well in the Sand Hills

Oil Well was on the east side of TX-115 about 1 mile north of The Sand Hills Marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 23, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,228 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 23, 2012, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.