I’m not sure what made me want to stop in the town of Sierra Blanca on our way back from our week long camping trip at Guadalupe Mountain National Park. If I had to guess, it probably had to do with geocaches and old buildings!
For any of you that are rusty on your Spanish, Sierra Blanca means White Mountain Range. The city of Sierra Blanca was named after the Sierra Blanca Mountain that is just Northwest of town which got its name for the white poppies which grew on it.
History of Sierra Blanca
On November 25, 1881, Southern Pacific and Texas and Pacific Railway had built to within ten miles of each other near what is now Sierra Blanca, however, neither had any intention of yielding to the other.
On November 26, 1881, the heads of both Railroads met where what is now a museum and agreed to a compromise. Then on December 15th, Jay Gould of the Texas and Pacific Railroad drove a silver spike to join the two roads seven miles southeast of Sierra Blanca Mountain. Transcontinental service began the next day. Sierra Blanca was founded in 1881 at the completion point of the southern transcontinental railway.
The Historical Marker
America’s Second Transcontinental Railroad
(Joined Here in 1881) Great achievement in American history. Victory for statesmen, including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, who early as 1845 had supported in the United States Congress the idea of a transcontinental railroad. This was effected in 1869, but a need remained– as advocated in the Congress– for a southern route. In 1869 the Southern Pacific began constructing such a line eastward from the west coast. In 1871 the Texas & Pacific began building a line, under a special Act of Congress, from east texas to southern California. They ran a dramatic race which reached its climax as construction crews for the roads neared this site. Southern Pacific reached Sierra Blanca on Nov. 25, 1881– while crews of the T. & P. were 10 miles to the east of here. On Nov. 26, 1881, an agreement was reached by Jay Gould, for the Texas & Pacific, and Collis P. Huntington, for the Southern Pacific, whereby in Sierra Blanca the roads would “approach, meet, and form one continuous line to the Pacific Ocean.” The lines were joined here on Dec. 15,1881, and on Dec. 16 transcontinental service was inaugurated.
Sierra Blanca Landmarks
Hudspeth County Railroad Depot Museum
The Museum is located in the 1882 Railroad Depot that served both the Texas and Pacific and Southern Pacific Railroads. This is the location where both Railroad heads met and agreed on a compromise.
The State Theatre
Built in the 1950’s by Greg Morales and his wife, it opened for business in 1952 and closed in the mid-1980’s. Since that time it has been sold and relisted a couple of times on e-bay, however, it never opened it’s doors again. Some believe that it is the last remaining intact and unaltered adobe movie house in the country.
Old Truck Stop
Owned by Jean Wells in the 50’s and 60’s.
Old “downtown” or “main strip” Area
While I am not 100% positive, I believe that this was what use to be the old downtown or main strip. This is old HWY 80 which had the railroad depot, truck stop, cafe, post office (no longer there), and theater.
Building Remnants
I am not sure what these buildings once were hopefully, someone will stumble upon this and be able to clue us in!
Our Thoughts & Getting There
If you are driving through or are in the area, it is definitely worth the stop just to explore. Don’t worry, down on the other side of “town”, down business 10, there is a large gas station with a Subway restaurant in it.
I really do wish we had spent more time there, to explore even more and maybe even learn more about the history of this town.
If you are from here or know any history, I would love for you to comment below and share it with us!
Location
Located on Interstate 10
33 miles West of Van Horn
88 miles Southeast of El Paso
Population: 569 (as of 2010)
I explored this town a few years ago. The museum in the old railroad station was locked even though there was an open sign, however, the “curator” of the museum saw me wandering about and opened it up. The museum was well worth the wait and if you ask around someone will open it. During our conversation he told me a fascinating story about General Patton during WWII when he was commandant of a nearby base. Don’t miss it.
Great information, thank you for sharing. We too tried to get into the museum, but it was locked even though there was an open sign. Unfortunately, we didn’t see anyone anywhere, and we were pressed for time (just driving through on our way home). I would love to go back and actually visit one day.
My paternal grandfather, Ellis Scarbrough died in a one car accident just West of town on the old Hwy 80 around 1934. His parents lived in Sierra Blanca at the time. I never met them and I am interested in learning more about them and why they settled in Sierra Blanca.
My visit there was in 2015. I stumbled into Sierra Blanca on my way to Van Horn. The museum, an old railroad station, was open only on Wednesdays. It was locked and as I wandered around its outside an older guy named Don came up and opened it for an unplanned visit. Inside was a hodgepodge of local memorabilia. Don apparently was a long time local and filled my ears with tales about the areas history. I don’t know if all this still applies but it might be worth your while to see if you can find Don or whoever can open the museum for you.
Hello Duncan. Thanks for the info. I will try to schedule some time to stop in if I am able to make the trip again.
Karen Blehm
Building Remnants: that first picture was a restaurant and the smaller building use to be a newspaper stand.
Sierra Blanca is not just about the railroads. Look into the last Indian battle where buffalo soldiers were killed during that battle and are now buried in Indian Hot Springs south of Sierra Blanca. The history of the families that moved to Sierra Blanca avoiding Pancho Villa’s wrath on those that would no longer support his own gain and fame. The valley of hidden waters, Ft. Hancock and Ft. Quitman. One of the last strong holds for Apache warriors was in Hudspeth county. Lots of history.
I’ll definitely look into it more! Thanks for sharing!
Great information! My great grandfather owned a cafe downstairs at the train depot in Sierra Blanca where he served up fried frog legs! My grandpa was born upstairs in that train depot in 1904.
In the 80s the depot building was moved to town across from the Main Street.
If anyone knows anything about that old depot cafe, reply:)
That is so neat! Thanks for the story and history =)
HELLO I WAS LOOKING FOR THE PLACE MY FATHER DONATED SOME THINGS TO IM HOPEIING THIS IS IT. HIS NAME IS J.C. BUNCH ONE OF THE ITEMS IS A PINK WESTERN SHIRT MY MOTHER MADE THE THINS WHERE CONECTED TO DELL CITYS POLO TEAM. WOULD YOU HAPPEN TO KNOW ANY INFO ON THIS. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A MOMENT OF YOUR TIME.
Hi Sally, it would be best to contact them directly as I doubt they even know about this blog. I assume you mean the museum? You should be able to Google them and find their phone number.
A scene in the movie, The Getaway, starring Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw was supposedly filmed in Sierra Blanca. The couple, Doc McCoy and his wife, are on the run from former business associates and the law after robbing a bank. On their way to Mexico, they stop at a hamburger joint in Sierra Blanca and are quickly made by the law and a crazy chase ensues.
Thanks for sharing! Now I need to go find that movie and watch it!