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Toyahvale
Post Office, TX 79786
Photo Courtesy Barclay Gibson, May 2009 |
History in
a Pecan Shell
Before Balmorhea
existed - the community of Pera more or less occupied the spot.
The town shown as Huelster no longer exists, although the land remains
in the Huelster family. Today Brogado
maintains its separate identity.
Toyahvale was founded shortly after Reeves
County was formed from Pecos
County in 1884.
The post office was established in 1891 and was originally a stage
stop between Fort
Stockton and Ft. Davis.
The submitted name being an amalgam of an Indian word for "flowing
water" and the combination of the English words "valley" and "dale."
In 1899 there were three schools for fourteen students, but only one
teacher. Toyahvale had a population of 25 people in 1925, jumping
to 150 the next year when oil was being discovered all around West
Texas and any town with a railroad was booming.
The post office closed in 1931, reopened in 1933, and the population
dropped back to its core of 25 persons. It increased to 50 during
the 1940s and has remained slightly above 50, but still well under
a hundred since then. |
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The
water temperature of San Solomon Springs
stays a constant 74 to 76 degrees
Photo
Courtesy of TxDoT |
San
Solomon Springs in Balmorhea
State Park offers West
Texas visitors a special treat - but only if they're smart enough
to stop. Thousands stream down Interstate 10 daily, unaware that one
of the largest natural-bottomed pools in the U. S is just a few miles
off the highway.
The pool retains 3.5 million gallons in a pool built with CCC labor.
There is never a crowd - even during the summer. The year-round water
temperature of 74 - 76 degrees guarantees a nice swim and the park
stays open all year.
Local information can be obtained from the post office..
It is reported that the Dillinger gang once visited the area. John
and friends found the area ideal for practicing law-evasion techniques.
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Entering
Toyahvale
Photo Courtesy Toyahvale Desert Oasis |
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The
pool at Toyahvale
Water courtesy of San Solomon Springs
Photo Courtesy of TxDoT |
| Texas
Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing
Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories,
landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact
us. |
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