1920s gas pump -- Castolon Visitor Center, Big Bend NP TX
N 29° 08.014 W 103° 30.852
13R E 644538 N 3223696
This vintage gas pump from the La Harmonia Store, which operated here from 1921 to 1961.
Waymark Code: WMTZCQ
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 01/27/2017
Views: 1
This Fry gas pump, a relic of a historic trading post, is located at the Castolon Visitor Center. Blasterz laughed when we saw the brand -- we are sure that the brand was not chosen as a droll commentary on the weather at Big Bend, where summer Heat Index values on the desert floor can reach 150 degrees.
Located in the historic La Harmonia store building, Castolon Visitor Center has exhibits on the multi-faceted history of this border region. Backcountry and river use permits are issued during normal business hours, and entrance fees can be paid at the Castolon Visitor Center. The Castolon Visitor Center has a Big Bend Natural History Association bookstore and nearby restrooms."
The US Army built Camp Santa Helena here in 1916 to keep an eye on border raiders during the Mexican Revolution. After the camp closed in 1921, local farmer Wayne Cartledge moved into the old post and opened a farming venture and the La Harmonia Store, a cross-border trading post. This pump dates from that time. Although Cartledge's farming enterprise failed in the 1940s, the store statyed in business until 1961, when the National park Serbice took it oevr as a concession.
A display of Careledge's historic cotton farming equipment that operated here at Castolon from 1921-1942 is nearby.
The Castolon Visitor Center is one of five visitor centers at the vast exapnse of Big Bend National Park.
From the NPS website: (
visit link)
"Castolon Visitor Center
Open seasonally, November through April 10:00am-4:00pm. Closed for lunch.