Bluff View Historical Survey
The Friends of the Southwest Nature Preserve, hosted several knowledgeable experts Feb. 8 for a field historical survey of the Bluff View area of the preserve. Present were three members of the North Texas Archaeological Society including immediate past president James Everett. Also, Linda Pelon, who is leading efforts to recognize the Comanche footprint in Texas through the development of the Comanche Penatuhkah Trails project. The preserve will be a “dot” on that map. (Pelon is an anthropology professor at Cedar Valley College and McLennon Community College and co-author of “Comanche Marker Trees of Texas.”) Also, Justin West, a local resident, spoke about rock carvings on the bluff through his 20 years of exploring in the preserve.
The clear west and northwest views from the bluff across Village Creek encouraged Linda Pelon’s belief that it a was part of a communications network of signal stations that reach from Dallas deep into Central Texas. Further research using local topographic maps and identifying line of sight to other area hilltops was suggested. She also urged compiling a list of medicinal plants at the preserve – an element that would have made the Bluff View a sacred site attractive to the Comanche. Carvings in the bluff do not appear to include any Native American carvings – although the sandstone erodes easily and gets covered by both moss and lichen. Shown here, Linda Pelon drawing in the sand to show what a Comanche marker tree looks like.
Thanks to the Friends of the Southwest Nature Preserve for sharing this info with our community. Be sure to check out their facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FriendsofSWNP
Here is their website: www.swnp.org
