Guadalupe Peak
Historical marker location:Guadalupe Peak, Texas' highest mountain at 8,751 feet, dominates one of the most scenic and least-known hinterlands of the old frontier. It lies behind and to the right of 8,078-foot El Capitan, the sheer cliff that rises more than 3,000 feet above this spot to mark the south end of the Guadalupe range. Starkness of the mountainside belies the lushness which the Guadalupes conceal. Tucked away in their inner folds are watered canyons shaded by towering ponderosa pine, douglas fir, juniper and quaking aspen. McKittrick Canyon, scene of a four-mile trout stream, is also the habitat of the state's only herd of wild elk. Seer and turkeys abound. Stories of hidden gold go back to Spanish days. The conquistadors who rode north from Mexico wrote about fabulous deposits. Geronimo, the Apache chief, said the richest gold mines in the western world lay hidden in the Guadalupes. Legend holds that Ben Sublett, a colorful prospector of the 1880s, slipped off at night to a cave and returned with bags of nuggets. Probably less is known about the archeology of the Guadalupes than of any other area in the Southwest. Excavators have found spearheads, pictographs and human remains together with bones of long-extinct bison, dire wolf and musk ox in cliff caves. At hermit cave in last chance canyon, carbon-14 dating indicates occupancy 12,000 years ago. Geologically, the Guadalupes present a spectacular exposure of the famous capitan prehistoric barrier reef, said to be the most extensive fossil organic reef known
As one of the most visible programs of the Texas Historical Commission (THC), historical markers commemorate diverse topics in Texas history, including: the history and architecture of houses, commercial and public buildings, religious congregations, and military sites; events that changed the course of local and state history; and individuals who have made lasting contributions to the state, community organizations, and businesses.
Texas is known for its love of football, and the state has produced many great football players, including legends like Tom Landry, Earl Campbell, and Vince Young.
The arrival of Spanish explorers in the 16th century brought significant changes to the region. The Spanish established missions and presidios in the area, seeking to convert the Native Americans to Christianity and establish control over the land. However, conflicts between the Spanish settlers and the indigenous peoples were common, and the region remained relatively unpopulated.
In the mid-19th century, the region that is now Culberson County became part of the United States after the Texas Revolution. The county itself was established in 1911, named after David B. Culberson, a prominent Texan lawyer and politician. At this time, the area was primarily used for ranching, with cattle grazing on the grasslands.
The discovery of oil in the early 20th century led to a boom in Culberson County's economy. The establishment of oil fields and drilling operations brought an influx of workers and boosted the local population. However, the oil industry faced ups and downs, with periods of prosperity followed by decline.
Today, Culberson County continues to be primarily rural, with a small population. The county's economy is based on agriculture, oil and gas production, and tourism. The vast and rugged landscape of Culberson County attracts outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers who come to explore the Guadalupe Mountains National Park and experience its stunning desert beauty.
Culberson County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Culberson County, Texas.
- 1911 - Culberson County is established.
- 1927 - The town of Van Horn is incorporated.
- 1942 - Construction of the Van Horn Army Airfield begins.
- 1969 - Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin visit Van Horn during a nationwide tour.
- 2006 - Jeff Bezos purchases land in Culberson County for his private aerospace company, Blue Origin.