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TOYAHVALE,
TEXAS
San Solomon
Springs
Reeves County, West Texas
South of I-10 on Hwy 17
4 miles S of Balmorhea
43 miles SW of Pecos
32 miles N of Ft. Davis
55 miles West of Fort
Stockton
Population: 60 (1990)
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The
pool at Toyahvale
Water courtesy of San Solomon Springs
Photo Courtesy of TxDoT |
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. |
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Toyahvale and region before highways
Historic postal route map circa 1906 courtesy Texas General Land Office |
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 Forts Stockton and 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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Entering
Toyahvale
Photo Courtesy Toyahvale Desert Oasis |
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 and from The
Toyahvale Desert Oasis. It
is reported that the Dillinger gang once visited the area.
John and friends found the area ideal for practicing law-evasion techniques.
Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Pecos
Hotels
Fort Stockton Hotels
More Hotels
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