Transactions of the Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas: 2011 Page: 6
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Station and two mails stations further on, one of which is Head of the Concho and the other the
newer Johnson's Station, but designated only as "mail station." Another scouting map of 1874
shows units of the 9th Cavalry camped at Johnson's Station and 10th Cavalry at Camp Charlotte,
but nothing is listed at either of the mail stations. Since mail station guard detachments were
constantly detailed to the mail stations during this time, this map was probably intended to show
only the cavalry camp locations, one of which being the original Johnson's Station. The map
also gives a scale of miles, which matches correctly the 9th Cavalry location to the original
Johnson's Station. Finally, a scouting report of 1879 reports the detachment passed both the "old
and the new Johnson's Station" on their way out to Camp Charlotte. Additional evidence of the
newer station maintaining the Johnson's Station name comes from multiple reports referencing
Johnson's Station and the distances marched from known points to the station. Six reports give
the correct distance to indicate they were referencing the newer mail station location. These
reports covered the periods of 1872, 1877 and 1879. Two reports give the correct distance to
indicate they were referencing the original Johnson's Station. These reports were dated 1874
and 1879.
In 1882 all outposts were abandoned as the new railroad line made it all the way to El
Paso and the stagecoaches were no longer needed for passengers or mail.
Ranch Period
The current landowner's family purchased the property that the old Johnson's Station was
located on in the late 1890s. There is no family memory of this location ever having a structure
or being occupied. In recent years the area had been bulldozed for brush clearing. The known
location of the original ranch house is designated 41IR118 and is located approximately one mile
upriver and slightly farther inland. It consisted of a pier and beam ranch house with a well and
large cistern, sitting on a slight rise approximately a quarter mile from the river.
From the mixed period of artifacts coming out of the site it appears that in addition to the
Butterfield and cavalry period of 1857 - 1882 at least one period in the late 1880s or 90s this
location must have been continuously occupied. This may have been by the original partner or
hired hands of the current landowner's grandfather at the time of purchase. The current
landowner's grandfather lived in town with his wife and family before moving out to the ranch,
probably after the main ranch headquarters was built some time after the original purchase.
Results of the Archeological Investigation
Two building locations, approximately 325 feet apart were identified at this site. In
addition to the main building location a second building appears to have been constructed
sometime after the original.
Although seemingly insignificant, square nails played a major role in determining the
location, size and likely structure of the two buildings at this site. Although many of the artifacts
were moved through previous bulldozing of the area, the number of nails helped support the
likelihood these structures were of log construction and the patterns were enough to discern the
likely orientation and size of the structures. Nail sizes varied from very small to very large (6
60-0
600
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Transactions of the Regional Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas: Index to Volumes 1-57 [1965-2024] (Book)
Index to the proceedings of the regional archeological symposium including separate lists by subject, title, author, and volume along with subject categories, a map of regions, and Texas county abbreviations.
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Robertson, Pinky. Transactions of the Regional Archeological Symposium for Southeastern New Mexico and Western Texas: 2011, book, 2012; Midland, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1661492/m1/12/?q=+date%3A1945-1972&rotate=180: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Southwestern Federation of Archaeological Societies.