Upton County: Mesas and Regional History

Castle Gap, Table Top Mountain, and Rattlesnake Butte give Upton County a distinctive geological profile. Abandoned settlements, historic buildings, and former transportation routes also tell the story of the region’s development. Landscape and history are distinct themes here—from unusual rock formations to places that once served administrative or transportation purposes.

Landscape and Geological Formations

Castle Gap is a natural opening in the Castle Mountain Range, which emerges from the King Mountain Range in Upton County. Historically, the gap provided access through the mountains. A seep spring with fresh water was located on its north wall. Flint arrowheads found at Castle Gap show that nomadic Native American groups crossed the area.

Table Top Mountain is a rounded, flat-topped mesa that rises 475 feet above its base. It is part of an uplift structure in the Permian Basin. The limestone-capped remnants of the area’s buttes and mesas consist of rock that covered the county about 115 million years ago. Rattlesnake Butte is a curved formation at an elevation of about 2,600 feet. Together with nearby formations, it is a remnant of Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rock on the Central Basin Platform. The measurements describe different things: for Table Top Mountain, they refer to the height above its base; for Rattlesnake Butte, they refer to its elevation.

Upton County’s elevation ranges from over 2,400 to 3,150 feet above sea level. Its landscapes include prairie areas with mesquite, creosote bush, small cedars, catclaw, and cacti. The southern parts are rolling and hilly, with numerous small lakes. Exposed limestone and sandy loam soils are also part of the landscape; plants there include mesquite, creosote bush, cacti, catclaw, and grasses.

Recreational opportunities in the county include scenic drives. There are also opportunities to hunt doves and quail, as well as white-tailed and mule deer. If you are planning a hunt, check local regulations and hunting seasons before your trip. U.S. Highway 385 is part of Upton County’s transportation network and provides a general indication of the county’s road connections.

Museums and Local History

McCamey’s two museums are located in Santa Fe Park. The museum office is listed as open Tuesday through Friday from 1 to 5 p.m.; contact the museum directly to confirm applicable visiting hours before your visit. The Mendoza Trail Museum displays relics from the region’s pioneer history, as well as exhibits and artifacts related to Native Americans. Railroad history is also represented: a historic Santa Fe railroad depot was moved from its original location by the tracks.

The Rankin Museum is located in the Yates Hotel, built in 1926 as one of the region’s first fireproof hotels. Another building connected to local history is Rankin Union Church: completed in 1915, it also housed the local school for its first two years. Until the late 1920s, the church site was home to the only church in Upton County.

Rankin’s history can also be traced through notable dates. Rankin Cemetery was established in 1915, shortly after Rankin was founded. The cemetery is believed to contain the unmarked graves of two bank robbers; visitors should treat it as a burial place with respect. First State Bank of Rankin opened on June 4, 1927, as the county’s first financial institution. Adrian House is a Western bungalow dating to 1915.

The now-abandoned settlement of Upland was planned as a stop on the railroad line from St. Louis to Chihuahua, Mexico. In 1910, Upland became Upton County’s first county seat. The settlement later fell into decline, and Rankin took over as the county seat in 1921. This change highlights the difference between Upland’s early administrative history and Rankin’s later role.

Historic Routes and Trip Planning

Several historic transportation routes crossed the Upton County region. The Chihuahua Trail ran from Mexico to Indianola, Texas. The Butterfield Overland Mail route passed through the region from 1858 to 1861, and the Goodnight-Loving Trail also crossed it. Together, these routes offer a glimpse into the different paths that played a role in the region’s history.

Annual rattlesnake roundups have been held at Rattlesnake Butte since 1936. Check the current schedule before your trip. This makes it possible to consider geological features, local history, and potential activities as distinct focuses for your trip.

Discover more destinations: McCamey, Rankin, Burleson County, Washington County, Wood County, Dimmit, Bexar County, Carson County.

For the broader travel overview: Texas.