Crane in Crane County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Castle Mountain
(2 mi. East)
Inscription.
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. A significant historical year for this entry is 1966.
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 6 other markers are within 14 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies. Crane High School
(approx. 7.1 miles away); Juan Cordona Lake (approx. 7.2 miles away); William Carey Crane (approx. 7.3 miles away); Horse Head Crossing on the Pecos River (approx. 8.8 miles away); Horsehead Crossing, C.S.A. (approx. 13½ miles away); McCamey Junior High School (approx. 13.7 miles away).
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 commentary.
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. Horsehead Crossing, Comanche War Trail, Juan Cordona Lake
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 750 times since then and 34 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.