Castle Gap is a natural break in the Castle Mountain Range, which rises from the King Mountain Range in Upton County. Flint arrowheads found at Castle Gap show that nomadic Native American groups crossed the area. Historically, the passage provided access through the mountains. A spring seeped from its north wall, providing fresh water. This place brings together a distinctive landform and traces of early routes through the region.
Mesas, Ridges, and Prairie
Table Top Mountain is a round, flat-topped mesa that rises 475 feet above its base. Rattlesnake Butte, by contrast, is a curved formation at an elevation of about 2,600 feet. The figures describe different reference points: for Table Top, the measurement is the height above its base; for Rattlesnake Butte, it is the elevation. The geological classifications also emphasize different features. Table Top Mountain is part of an uplift structure in the Permian Basin; the limestone-capped remnants of the region's tablelands and mesas consist of rock that covered Upton County about 115 million years ago. Rattlesnake Butte and nearby formations on the Central Basin Platform are remnants of Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rock.
The county's landscape includes prairie areas with mesquite, creosote bush, small cedars, catclaw, and cacti. Soils and surface features include exposed limestone and sandy loam, where plants such as bush mesquite, creosote bush, cacti, catclaw, and grasses grow. In the south, the terrain is rolling and hilly, with numerous small lakes. The county's elevation ranges from over 2,400 to 3,150 feet above sea level. This range, the varied terrain, and the prairie vegetation reveal several facets of the landscape, without any single formation representing the entire county.
Historic Routes and Places
Upton County also has a history as a place to travel through. The Chihuahua Trail ran from Mexico to Indianola, Texas, crossing the region. The Butterfield Overland Mail route ran through the county area from 1858 to 1861, and the Goodnight-Loving Trail also crossed the region. These historic long-distance routes belong to different chapters of the region's past.
The history of Upland and Rankin tells the story of changing roles as the county seat. Upland was planned as a station on the railroad line from St. Louis to Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1910, the now-abandoned settlement became the first county seat of Upton County; it later fell into decline, and Rankin took over as the seat of government in 1921. The Union Church building in Rankin was completed in 1915. It also housed the local school for two years; until the late 1920s, it was the county's only church.
Discover more historical details in the region's places and collections. Rankin Cemetery was established in 1915, shortly after Rankin was founded. The cemetery is believed to contain the unmarked graves of two bank robbers. The First State Bank of Rankin, Upton County's first financial institution, opened on June 4, 1927. The Adrian House is a Western-style bungalow dating to 1915.
Museums and Regional Discoveries
Both museums in McCamey are located in Santa Fe Park. McCamey's museum office is open Tuesday through Friday, from 1 to 5 p.m.; check these hours before you arrive. A historic Santa Fe railroad depot was moved from its original location beside the tracks. In Rankin, the museum is located in the Yates Hotel, built in 1926 as one of the region's first fireproof hotels. The Mendoza Trail Museum displays relics from pioneer history, along with exhibits and artifacts related to Native American culture.
Getting Around the County
Recreational opportunities include scenic drives. U.S. Highway 385 is part of Upton County's transportation network. There are also opportunities to hunt dove and quail, as well as white-tailed and mule deer. If you plan to hunt, check the applicable rules and seasons in advance. You can tailor your trip to the interests that appeal to you most: the landscape and geology, regional history, or outdoor recreation.
Discover more destinations: Jim Wells, Nolan, Rockwall, Lavaca, Armstrong County, Harrison County.
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