Point of Rocks (Texas) facts for kids
Point of Rocks, also known as Bald Rock, is a special place in Jeff Davis County, Texas. It is an isolated hill with a natural spring. This spring was once called Bald Rock Spring. For many years, it was an important stop for travelers.
Point of Rocks was a watering place and campsite. It was located on the famous San Antonio–El Paso Road. This road was about 10 miles west of Fort Davis, Texas. Today, this historic spot is known as Point of Rocks Roadside Park. The spring itself is at an elevation of about 5,469 feet (1,667 meters). The top of Point of Rocks reaches over 5,920 feet.
History of Point of Rocks
Point of Rocks, or Bald Rock, played a big role in the history of West Texas. It was a key stop along the San Antonio–El Paso Road. This was the very first military road through West Texas. It connected San Antonio to El Paso.
The Road and the Gold Rush
The San Antonio–El Paso Road was built in 1849. This was right when the California Gold Rush started. Many people, called "49ers," were heading west to find gold. They often traveled with or followed the Army groups that created this route. Point of Rocks offered them a much-needed place to rest and get water.
A Stop for Stagecoaches
Point of Rocks was used by all kinds of travelers. It became a regular stop for stagecoach companies. These companies carried mail and passengers across the country. Some famous stagecoach lines that stopped here included the San Antonio-El Paso Mail and the San Antonio–San Diego Mail Line.
It was also a watering spot for the Butterfield Overland Mail Company. Their coaches would stop here about halfway between Fort Davis and Barrel Springs. In 1857, a traveler named Edward Fitzgerald Beale wrote about his experience. He said they left Fort Davis in the afternoon. Then they traveled about ten miles to Bald Rock spring. He noted they found "excellent water" there. However, there was "no wood or grass" for their animals. They still chose to camp there for the night.
