A Survey of Historic Structures: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Urbanovsky, Elo

There are few areas within the United States where a great variety of types of primitive structures are concentrated in a small piece of land. The Guadalupe Mountains National Park in western Texas is one of these areas. Prehistoric man lived in the Guadalupes. Relics of his existence are still found in caves and strange "dugouts" within the park. In historic times the elusive Apache declared the Guadalupes to be his home and time after time eluded the patrols of troops sent for their destruction. These troops, too, briefly made their home at the base of the mountains, building small tent towns near the cold springs that head on the Guadalupe's eastern slope. In the mid-19th century the westward movement of man began to affect the Guadalupe Mountains even more. In 1858 the "Pinery," a stage station for the Butterfield Overland Mail, was constructed near the mouth of Pine Springs Canyon. Soon afterward, in 1869, Captain Felix McKittrick left Denton County, Texas, to make his home in the beautiful canyon which now bears his name. By 1876 the Rader brothers had built the first permanent ranch house by the fastflowing waters of Frijole Spring. By 1878 a survey had been completed in the area that now comprises the Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Jacob Kuechler completed this measurement after alternate sections of land were given to the Texas and Pacific Railway by the State of Texas as compensation for the construction of new rail lines within the state. With the coming of the 20th century a new day came to the Guadalupe Mountains of Texas. The passage of the Eight Section Act by the Legislature of Texas sharply increased the pace of settlement. Soon after 1900 came such men as "Old Man" Ables, W. G. McCombs, "Dolph" Williams, and R. P. Altman. The Cox and DeMoss families made homes near the Texas-New Mexico line. Walter Glover purchased land near Pine Springs as early as 1913. All of these early settlers built homes of rock, wood, or earth–most of which still exist today. The National Park Service, because of its interest in preserving those structures that might be of interest to the visitor in years to come, commissioned Texas Tech University to make a survey of the historic sites and structures within the confines of Guadalupe Mountains National Park. In this investigation an effort was made to include all of the sites and structures of major interest which could be authenticated. Because of the desire for accuracy, many sites such as exact routes of roads, sites of encampments, and others, were not included in this preliminary study. Neither were included four sites already listed on the National Register. It is hoped that these and many other sites can be included in a comprehensive study at a later date. Techniques employed in the preparation of this survey included the following: First, a survey of records in the General Land Office, Austin, Texas; Second, personal interviews with National Park Service personnel and older residents of the Guadalupe Mountains area; Third, a site survey which included measuring of structures and sites; and finally, the examination of aerial photographs. The information which was compiled on each site is presented in the form of drawings, photographs, maps, and written descriptions. The report is organized in themes according to the use to which each site or structure was utilized. The report is presented in the hope that the National Park Service can effectively use it in their continuing efforts to interpret the Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

A Survey of Historic Structures: Guadalupe Mountains National Park

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