Crane in Crane County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Castle Mountain
(2 mi. East)
By Richard Denney, April 16, 2014
1. Castle Mountain Marker
View of roadside park where marker was located, probably somewhere between picnic shelters in foreground and distance.
About 3,000 ft. elevation. Since 17th century, a landmark in travel from Texas points to Mexico and California. According to tradition, named by Spaniards for resemblance to ancient castles. Has associations with stories of lost trains of gold and other treasures.
Erected 1966 by State of Texas. (Marker Number 755.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Native Americans • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Comanche Trail into Mexico series list.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 31° 17.523′ N, 102° 20.935′ W. Marker was in Crane, Texas, in Crane County. Marker was on U.S. 385 7.2 miles south of 6th Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Crane TX 79731, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 4 other markers are within 14 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Juan Cordona Lake (approx. 7.2 miles away);
By Richard Denney, April 16, 2014
2. Castle Mountain Marker
Another view of roadside park showing where missing marker was probably located.
More about this marker. State of Texas records directions to marker as: "From Crane, 8 miles S. on US 385 to Roadside Park (marker was in Crane County)", i.e., apparently the state is aware the marker is missing.
Also see . . . Castle Gap. Handbook of Texas Online (Submitted on April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.)
Additional comments.
1.
Rather than "Castle Mountain", this location is often referenced in terms of the pass through the mountain, i.e. "Castle Gap". One of the best sources of information for Castle Gap is Patrick Dearen's "Castle Gap and the Pecos Frontier", Fort Worth: Texas Christian UP, 1988.
— Submitted April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.
2. Comanche Trail
Castle Gap was on a branch of the Comanche Trail. Traveling south to Mexico, from Castle Gap, the trail proceeded to Horsehead Crossing of the Pecos River, then onto Comanche Springs at what is now Fort Stockton.
— Submitted April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.
Additional keywords.
By Richard Denney, April 16, 2014
3. Castle Mountain
View of Castle Mountain in distance, behind picnic shelter.
By Richard Denney, April 16, 2014
4. Castle Mountain
Castle Mountain, and the Castle Gap from Castle Gap Road (road ends at private property).
By Richard Denney, April 16, 2014
5. Castle Gap
Closeup of Castle Gap showing the actual small canyon -- shaped like a V in hills -- through which travelers passed. High resolution photo; Click to get closeup view.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 682 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 28, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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