Texas Almanac, 1941-1942 Page: 146
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TEXAS ALMANAC -1941-42
It can be said that the physiography of
a country is the surface expression of
the age-long geologic processes that have
formed the earth structures beneath.
There is still another classification of
regions into which Texas may logically
be divided, regions that may be called
the expression of geologic and physio-
graphic plus climatological conditions.
The juxtaposition of mineral deposits,
soil belts and their potentiality for sus-
taining plant and animal life, and tem-
perature and rainfall conditions combine
to create what geographers have come to
call natural regions. By a natural region
is meant an area which, because of simi-
larity of natural conditions, sustains a
relatively uniform culture or mode of
livelihood. Natural regions, like physi-
ographic regions, break down into sub-
divisions. They do not always follow
physiographic boundary lines because the
influence of climate and certain other
forces are to be taken into consideration
in the production of wealth. However, it
may be said of Texas that it is generally
accepted to have four great natural re-
gions, which correspond loosely to itsfour physiographic areas, and break
down into numerous subdivisions.
In his Natural Regions of Texas, 1931,
Elmer H. Johnson, economic geographer
of the bureau of business research, Uni-
versity of Texas, divides Texas into four
great natural regions, including (1) the
East Texas Plains, (2) the Prairies Prov-
inces, (3) the Middle Texas Provinces,
and (4) the Western High Plains and
Trans-Pecos Country. So great is the
diversity of natural conditions that these
four areas are subdivided into more than
sixty classifications. As in the instance
of the geologic and physiographic re-
gions, these natural regions are not
wholly within Texas, but are extensions
into this state from beyond its borders.
Situated at a great geographic meet-
ing place of the North American Conti-
nent, and in a temperate climate, with
an altitude rising from the waters of the
Gulf of Mexico to the Rocky Mountains,
Texas presents a diversity of natural
conditions that has few parallels. It is
to this great diversity rather than to
sheer size, that Texas owes its economic
and social progress.Mountains, Escarpments, Canyons and Other Striking
Features of Texas Topography.The principal mountains of Texas are
found in the Trans-Pecos where eastern
ranges of the Rocky Mountain system
cross from New Mexico to "Old" Mexico.
Highest are those of the Guadalupe
range, rising to a maximum elevation in
Guadalupe Peak, 8,751 feet. Nowhere at
a more easterly point in the United
States is there a mountain as high. El
Capitan has an altitude of 8.078 feet.
This majestic range rises 5,000 feet above
the Salt Flats at its base. It projects
from New Mexico into Texas in the
northwestern part of Culberson County.
(See following Texas Altitude Guide for
elevations of principal mountains, cities
and towns.)
The Davis Mountains, centering in Jeff
Davis County, are second in general ele-
vation among Texas ranges and the
highest peak, Mount Livermore (8,382),
also known as Baldy Peak and Old Baldy
because of its barren rocky summit, is
the second highest mountain in Texas.
Sawtooth Mountain (7,748) and Blue
Mountain (7,330) are striking eminences.
Mount Locke (6,791) is surmounted by
the McDonald Observatory. Of barren
aspect when viewed from the surround-
ing plateau, the interior of the Davis
Mountains, where clouds deposit more
moisture, is green with grass and trees,
especially after the rainy season. Stand-
ing on a high plateau, the Davis Moun-
tains rise to an altitude of 2,500 to 3,000
feet above their base.
The Chisos Mountains (Chisos is Span-
ish for ghosts or spirits) are third in gen-
eral elevation, capped by Mount Emory
(7,835) and Lost Mine Peak (7,550)Third rank among Texas Mountains in
elevation above sea level, they rise more
than one mile above the Rio Grande at
their southern base. The Chisos Moun-
tains are the center of the Big Bend
National Park project. The Chinati
Mountains in Presidio, Eagle Mountain
in Hudspeth, Franklin Mountain near El
Paso are other notable Trans-Pecos emi-
nences.
There are no mountains east of the
Pecos comparable to those to the west.
Probably the east-facing Cap Rock Es-
carpment near the mouths of the Tule
and Palo Duro Canyons, where it rises
1,000 feet, is most impressive. The moun-
tains above the Balcones Escarpment and
those of the Burnet-Llano area are the
most notable in Central and Southwest-
ern Texas. On the rolling plains of Mid-
dle West and North Central Texas are
the Palo Pinto Mountains in Palo Pinto
and adjoining counties, Brady Mountains
in McCulloch, Callahan Divide extending
through Callahan, Taylor and Nolan
Counties, and other ranges. Isolated emi-
nences, such as Comanche Peak in Hood
County, Santa Anna Mountain in Cole-
man, Double Mountain in Stonewall and
Muchakooga, or Cordova, Peak in Bor-
den, are scattered over the North Cen-
tral Plains where erosion has been resist-
ed through the ages by a tough bit of
limestone. Though usually only 200 or
300 feet above surrounding country, they
frequently can be seen long distances.
They served as landmarks among the
Indians and early settlers, hence deserve
the dignity of being called mountains. In
East Texas the flat-topped hills afford
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Texas Almanac, 1941-1942, book, 1941; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117164/m1/148/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.