Study reveals historical treasures at Castner Range

The first comprehensive study on Castner Range shows the land is home to archaeological and historical treasures.

After months of analyzing the land near Northeast El Paso, researchers identified more than 40 archaeological and historical sites at Castner Range.

Those findings include extensive collections of petroglyphs, remnants of failed tin mining operations, and small stone structures and pottery.

Several El Paso community leaders gathered at the El Paso Museum of Archaeology Thursday to celebrate the release of this new information, which they believe is proof Castner Range should become a National Monument.

Congressman Beto O’Rourke says he is “cautiously optimistic” the range will become a national monument before President Obama leaves office.

To date, more than 30,000 individuals from our region have written letters asking President Barack Obama to designate El Paso’s Castner Range as America’s next National Monument.

“We want to pass this along to our kids and we want to share it with the rest of the world and a national monument designation does that,” Congressman O’Rourke said.

If designated, Castner Range National Monument would be the third national monument in Texas.