The Mount Blanco Fossil Museum is a great example of what you can find when you venture off the interstate when driving through Texas! Located in the little town of Crosbyton, it’s a museum of fossils not only from Texas but around the world,
For a donation of $5 per person ($2/child), we were thrilled to walk around and see exhibits from the Mammoth Site in Waco, Dinosaur tracks in Glen Rose and many other places we have visited.
Mammoths and mastodons have been found all over Texas, and we loved this full-scale replica.
You can also purchase fossils, and the replicas of fossils in the gift shop, as well as toys, scientific papers, and even T-Rex tooth cast sidewalk chalk!
The museum is run by Joe Taylor, a self-taught paleontologist. It was interesting to hear his views of many of the exhibits, especially the views that aren’t being taught in school. Several of his displays suggest that man and dinosaurs possibly lived together at one time, and that Noah’s flood was what lead to the extinction of the dinosaurs, defying the theory of evolution. It’s always interesting to hear different viewpoints, and it created some interesting debates for the car drive home. I love anything that gets my kids THINKING!!!
Regardless of your beliefs, the collection he has amassed is impressive.
The building houses not only the Mount Blanco Fossil Museum, but also the Mount Blanco Casting Company, where Mr. Taylor makes cast of fossils brought to him from all over the world!
More to do in Crosbyton
Crosby County Pioneer Museum
We had a great time in Crosbyton, which is also home to the Crosby County Pioneer Museum. Unfortunantly, it was closed during our visit, but we were able to walk around the building, which has a Quanah Parker Arrow in front. You can find these tall arrows all along the Quanah Parker Trail. For a list of locations, click HERE.
Crosbyton Park
There are two arrows in Crosbyton, and each has a geocache hidden nearby. We were able to find one of them. The second arrow is located at Crosbyton Park. The swimming pool in the park was closed due to the county being in Stage 4 Drought Restrictions. There are RV hook ups at the park which are FREE for 2 nights.
Crosbyton sits on the caprock, above White River Canyon, cut by the White River, a tributary of the Salt Fork of the Brazos River. White River Canyon is dotted with historical markers, signifying the Battle of Blanco Canyon fought in 1871 by Ranald S. Mackenzie and Quanah Parker. At Silver Falls Rest Stop, just East of town on Hwy 114, you can climb down to the falls, hike along the trails, or take in some of the scenic overlooks.
White River Lake
Agricultural use and the current drought has depleted the Ogallala Aquifer, and drained the springs which once flowed into the White River. The falls aren’t the only place suffering from the current Texas drought and overuse, downriver is the White River Lake. Due to low lake levels, there is currently only one boat ramp available. Tent and RV camping is available on a first come, first serve basis. For more information, click HERE.
Keep Having Fun in the Texas Sun!
Michelle
