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

Willow Springs

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 17, 2014

1. Willow Springs Marker

Inscription. Located 6.6 miles east of this site in the Sand Hills, Willow Springs was known to Comanche Indians and to West Texas pioneers as an important source of water. It was frequently used by gold seekers on their way to California after the 1849 gold discovery there. In 1901,“Judge” A. Hayes found the remains of a charred 40-wagon train at Willow Springs. Evidence indicates there had been a killing at the site, and artifacts from the unidentified massacre have been placed at Sul Ross State University in Alpine.

Erected 1964 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 5853.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Comanche Trail into Mexico series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1849.

Location. 31° 39.877′ N, 103° 1.072′ W. Marker is near Kermit, Texas, in Winkler County. It is at the intersection of State Highway 18 and County Route 401, on the left when traveling south on State Highway 18. 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 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies

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: Christ The King Catholic Church (approx. 8.4 miles away); Old Holman Hotel (approx. 8.8 miles away); Monahan's Well (approx. 8.8 miles away); Ward County (approx. 9.2 miles away); Pyote Army Air Field Chapel Steeple (approx. 9½ miles away); Roy Orbison (approx. 10.1 miles away); Wink (approx. 10.3 miles away); Winkler County Discovery Well (approx. 10.3 miles away).

Another marker is no longer nearby. Wink Junior High and High School (was approx. 10.1 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Additional commentary.
1. Lost Wagon Train
A good source for the history and legends surrounding the wagon train found in the dunes is Patrick Dearen's Castle Gap and the Pecos Frontier. Fort Worth: Texas Christian UP, 1988

— Submitted April 29, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas.

Photographed by Richard Denney, April 17, 2014

2. Willow Springs Marker

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, July 12, 2015

3. Willow Springs Marker

View north on highway 18

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. This page has been viewed 3,133 times since then and 176 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2014, by Richard Denney of Austin, Texas. 3. submitted on August 10, 2015, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.