In 1879, the Texas legislature appropriated land covering
multiple counties in northwest Texas as payment for
construction of a new state capitol building. The land became the XIT Ranch and included parts of western and southern
Castro County. . . . — — Map (db m228351) HM
Before white men entered this region in late 19th century, nomadic Apache, Comanche, and Kiowa Indians followed the buffalo from water hole to water hole. A favorite Indian camp was at a spring (5 miles w), near which the Springlake . . . — — Map (db m104454) HM
Dug by hand in 1902 for crops, cattle, and household use of Ewing Halsell (1877-1965), son of land promoter and settler W. E. Halsell. An irrigation ditch carried water half a mile to headquarters of Halsell's "Mashed O" Ranch. Six . . . — — Map (db m104435) HM
Comanches followed Blackwater draw to camp by spring-fed Spring Lake and hunt in the Sand Hills south of Earth
Arrow Sculptor: Charles A. Smith — — Map (db m167655) HM
Indian camp and watering place. Took its name from first sod house built in 1876 by George and John Causey and Frank Lloyd, buffalo hunters. First permanent settlement in this region. In 1882 a cow camp was established at this point by Estes . . . — — Map (db m151360) HM
Indian camp and watering place extensively used in hunting buffalo. Became cattle territory in 1882 when Tom Lynch drove his herds from New Mexico.
After acquisition by the Capitol Syndicate this became headquarters of largest division of the . . . — — Map (db m104434) HM
Opened 1908 as one-room school, Springlake became an independent district in 1924 when Halsell ranch land was sold to settlers and local population increased. Enlarged school opened 1925 in new $30,000 brick structure on site bought from J. F. . . . — — Map (db m104457) HM
