Black Hill Line Camp: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Padre Island National Seashore, National Park Service

Cowley, Jill; Mardorf, Carrie

Black Hill Line Camp is one of four line camps built on Padre Island by Patrick Dunn, and one of three line camps currently within the boundary of Padre Island National Seashore on the Gulf of Mexico shore in southeast Texas. Dunn built the camp to support work at his cattle ranch. Located centrally on the island, this was the second line camp where cattle were first gathered, sorted, and corralled before being herded north. Patrick Dunn first came to Padre Island in 1879 looking to establish a cattle ranch. The island proved ideal for such an operation, as it had been grazed since the 1760s and offered abundant native grasses. The surrounding waterways served as natural fences that contained the cattle to the island, while the lack of dense overstory trees provided an environment conducive to herding cattle. In the establishment of the ranch, Dunn constructed a series of line camps spaced approximately 15 miles apart—the distance cattle could be driven in one day. Line camps were small outposts on grazing land that primarily consisted of fences and corrals in which to separate and work on the cattle. Ranch hands were temporarily stationed at these camps to “ride the line” as they drove cattle to market. Black Hill became the central line camp of the operation during the late 19th century, situated between Green Hill and Novillo Line Camps. It was used for cattle drives throughout the 19th century and into the early 20th century. At the camp, a large fenced-in area called a trap enclosed the entire area. A cluster of buildings was constructed along the west edge of the trap, fenced apart from the trap area. Additionally, a series of corrals was built in the southeast corner of the trap with a larger C-shaped corral or pen to funnel cattle into and out of the smaller corrals and trap. In addition to the series of corrals, trap, and fences, the camp likely contained at least three buildings: two bunkhouses and a cookhouse. Many building materials on the isolated island landscape were provided in the form of driftwood and lumber that washed up on the beaches. Dunn utilized these materials to create functional, vernacular structures. Patrick Dunn continued to obtain land and operate the ranch until his death in 1937. At that time, his son managed the cattle ranch and made improvements to the operation. After World War II, mechanized vehicles emerged on the island and further additions were made. The single trap was divided into a series of three smaller traps, while a fourth trap was added to the north. A cattle chute was built onto the southeast corral, while a second corral was erected north of the building cluster. A windmill and concrete water tank were also introduced to the landscape to provide water, replacing earlier earthen cattle tanks with wood frames. Throughout the mid-20th century, truck transportation increased in importance, and the role of Black Hill in the ranching operation shifted. As more and more cattle were transported north to Novillo, operations at Black Hill diminished and ultimately ceased in 1971 when the last cattle were removed from the island. Since 1971, Black Hill has been allowed to deteriorate. None of the buildings remain, but former locations are marked by wood posts. Fence posts of corrals and the traps have deteriorated from climatic elements and a recent fire in 2009. Nevertheless, given its history and association with the Dunn Ranch, Black Hill Line Camp continues to be significant for associations with the areas of agriculture and archeology. Its period of significance extends from 1879 to 1971, which spans the entire history of the Dunn Ranch operations. Although only some features remain, the landscape retains integrity from the period of significance and continues to illustrate how the island landscape provided a unique environment for ranching.

Black Hill Line Camp: Cultural Landscape Inventory, Padre Island National Seashore, National Park Service

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