|
|
SIERRA BLANCA,
TEXAS
Hudspeth County
Seat, West
Texas
33 miles
W of Van Horn
on I-10
88 miles SE of El Paso
Population: 533 (2000)
|
FM 1111
North Looking towards the Guadalupe Mountains
Photo Courtesy Jason Penney |
History in
a Pecan shell
Sierra
Blanca was named after Sierra Blanca Mountain, just NW of town.
Hudspeth County was named after Texas State Senator Claude Hudspeth.
The town came into existence when competing railroads for a second
(Southern) transcontinental railroad line came within 10 miles of
one another in 1881. Jay Gould, famous railroad magnate and
robber baron, drove a silver spike*
commemorating the event on Dec. 15th 1881. The town sprang
up around that spot, although the population didn't reach 350 people
until 1914.
Hudspeth
County Courthouse >
|
|
|
Historical
markers at the intersection of FM 1111 and Bus 10 (Old hwy 80), (the
only two paved roads in town)
Photo courtesy Jason Penney |
| |
|
|
The
depot/museum where the railroads met at Sierra Blanca
Photo Courtesy Jason Penney |
| |
| The Hudspeth
County Museum is housed in the 1882 Railroad Depot that served
both the Texas and Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads. On U.S.
80. Open Wednesdays 1- 5. |
|
|
FM
1111 South of Sierra Blanca looking towards
the Eagle Mountains at sunrise
Photo Courtesy Jason Penney |
| |
Scenic Drive
- FM 1111
Sierra Blanca attractions include a replica of old Fort
Hancock and a scenic drive north of town on 1111. |
|
|
43
miles North, 1111 intersects with highway 62/180.
Mountains on the horizon and towering stands of Yucca make this a
memorable drive anytime of year, but particularly in March
and April when the Yucca is in bloom.
|
We were told
by a frank and candid person over the phone, that she has heard of
"a forest of Yucca" but has yet to find it after living
in the area for 20 years. She still hears of this legendary forest
from time to time, since several books have picked up on the "forest"
description.
It should be remembered that in West Texas five or more trees per
acre qualify as a forest. |
|
|
View
from a peak in the Sierra Diablos looking out towards Sierra Blanca.
Photo courtesy Peter L French |
| |
|
|
State
Theatre
Photo courtesy of michael j harden |
| |
Sierra
Blanca Chamber of Commerce
Sierra
Blanca Chamber of Commerce has no physical address, but their telephone
number is 915-369-4118. Don't expect them to answer the phone just
because it's 8 o'clock where you are. Sierra Blanca goes by Mountain
Time. |
|
|
Truck
Stop
Photo courtesy of michael j harden |
| |
Sierra Blanca
Texas Forum
Subject:
Yucca Forest
Dear Texas Escapes, I just stumbled onto your tour of Hudspeth county.
I am enjoying it... You also said you were looking for a Yucca forest.
If you look at a map of Cornudas
you will find FM 2317 goes south then turns hard east. If you you
go about a mile due west of the turn - there used to be a very big
collection of Yuccas. That was back in 1968. 30 years change a lot
of things... - Eddie Stephens, September 06, 2006
Subject:
A (Fig) Tree Grows in Sierra Blanca
My Grandfather, Grover Stephens, was the post master in Sierra Blanca.
Now from my understanding their house use to be located where the
old Gas station is now. If you go out to that gas station even today
I believe that there is a fig tree. My Grandmother Jonnie Stephens
planted that Fig tree right where the out house use to be. Anyway,
I always thought that was fun. Cheers, Samuel Stephens, February
27, 2006
"I was amused
to see that good old Jay Gould had participated in the founding
of Sierra Blanca, as he also participated in the founding the town
in which I live, Kyle.
Thank you for your work, I enjoy your site very much." - Peter
French
Anyone who knows where Sierra Blanca's silver spike is or has other
information, photos, anecdotes, biographies, tall tales, stories
or outright (printable) lies about Sierra Blanca, please contact
us.
*We called Sierra Blanca and
asked them if they knew where the silver spike was. Rhonda at the
tax office didn't know, but told us there had been a bar there by
that name some time ago. She said Judge Peace might know. Judge
Peace had worked for the railroad for many years and is now head
of the Hudspeth County Historical Society. The Judge wasn't in when
we called, but Manny told us that he didn't have it. We'll keep
looking and let you know.
© John Troesser
|
|
|
