Photograph of Guadalupe Peak from near peak campground turnoff in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Approx. elevation: 8,150 ft.

Photograph of Texas Historical Commission Marker entitled "Guadalupe Peak" in front of a low stone wall. Desert mountains are visible in the background.

South-facing photograph of two hikers on the Guadalupe Peak Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Approx. elevation 8,300 ft.

Photograph of historical marker entitled: "Battle of Palmito Ranch." Text reads: "The last land engagement of the Civil War was fought near this site on May 12-13, 1865, thirty-four days after Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox. Col. Theodore H. Barrett commanded Federal troops on Brazos Island 12 miles to the east. The Confederates occupied Fort Brown 12 miles to the west, commanded by Gen. James E. Slaughter and Col. John S. (Rip) Ford, whose troops had captured Fort Brown from the Federals in 1864. Ordered to recapture the fort, Lt. Col. David Branson and 300 men advanced from Brazos Island. They won a skirmish with Confederate pickets on May 12. Barrett reinforced Branson's troops with 200 men on May 13 and renewed the march to Fort Brown. Confederate cavalry held the Federals in check until Ford arrived with reinforcements that afternoon. Ford's artillery advanced and fired on the northern end of the Federal line while the cavalry charged. The Confederate right charged the southern end of the Federal line and captured part of the Union infantry. Barrett ordered a retreat toward the U.S. position on Brazos Island. While the Confederates reported no fatalities in the Battle of Palmito Ranch, …

Photograph of state historical marker located near the salt flats of Hudspeth County. The marker has several gunshot markings and reads: "Resentment over private control of the salt lakes in this region, often called Guadalupe Lakes, led to the El Paso Salt War. - Erected by the State of Texas 1936."

Photograph of a historical marker commemorating the last battle of the Civil War. The text reads: "At This Site -- The Last Battle of the Civil War, Known as Palmito Hill, was Fought by Confederate Troops Under Colonel John S. (Rip) Ford and Union Forces on May 13, 1865, 34 Days After Lee's Surrender at Appomatox -- Erected by the State of Texas -- 1936"

Photograph of Historical Marker entitled: "Site of Camp Belknap." Text reads: "In May 1846 when war was declared against Mexico, the U.S. Congress authorized the raising of 50,000 volunteer troops to supplement the regular U.S. Army. General Zachary Taylor was quickly inundated with volunteer soldiers arriving at Brazos Santiago, and was forced to place them in temporary encampments. Camp Belknap, located on this site, was established in the summer of 1846. The camp was located on a long narrow rise of land, measuring about 2 miles in length and one-half mile at its widest point. It was the first high ground encountered after leaving the Gulf Coast. Thought to be the largest encampment for volunteer soldiers, troop estimates total 7,000-8,000 men including several regiments from eight states. Soldiers suffered exposure to the elements, unsanitary living conditions, overcrowding, biting insects, thorny plants, and disease. Many died a premature death, often resulting in one two two funerals daily. No enemy attacks took place despite one false alarm. During August and September most of the volunteers were moved upriver either to camps nearer Matamoros, or further to Camargo. The camp was completely empty by December 1846." Marker is dated 1996 in the lower-right …

Kemp's ridley turtle hatchlings moving towards Texas gulf coast waters at dawn.

Juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtles make their way towards gulf coast waters during sunrise at South Padre Island beach.

Staff members from the rescue and rehabilitation organization, "Sea Turtle, Inc" on South Padre Island release endangered Kemp's ridley hatchlings at dawn, surrounded by onlookers.

Section of bollard-style pedestrian border fence in Brownsville, TX. Erected by U.S. Homeland security in the late 2000s as part of the "Secure Fence Act of 2006."

Southward facing panoramic photograph of Palmito Hill Battlefield, the last land battle of the American Civil War on May 12-13, 1865. As viewed from the interpretive platform of the Historic Landmark near Boca Chica Blvd. and Palmito Hill Rd.

Roadside panoramic image of salt flats in Hudspeth county, TX. The Patterson Hills and Guadalupe Mountains can be seen in the distance. Subject of dispute during the 1877-78 El Paso/San Elizario "Salt War."

Panoramic Photograph from near the top of Guadalupe Peak in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Photograph of boulders on the Guadalupe Peak Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Photograph taken from Guadalupe Peak Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park.

Wide angle photograph taken from Guadalupe Peak, facing east-southeast. Dell City, Linda Lake, Salt Basin Dunes and Salt Flats, as well as the Cornudas Mountains on the Texas-New Mexico border are visible in the distance.

Photograph of the Guadalupe Peak Trail in Guadalupe Mountains National Park. Several pinyon pine (piñon) trees are visible in the foreground.

Southward facing photograph of the 1923 Point Isabel Coast Guard Building located on South Padre Island. A small historical marker on the opposite side reads: "The Federal Government has operated a coastal installation at Point Isabel since 1852. This structure is the third permanent building erected here, one of a line of nine stations established along the Gulf of Mexico from Florida to the Texas-Mexico border. Originally consisting of a main floor, attic, and lookout tower, all elevated off the ground on wood and concrete pilings, the structure served as barracks and headquarters for the U.S. Coast Guard unit that patrolled the coastline and conducted sea rescues. (1988)"

Photograph of Point Isabel Lighthouse (located at Point Isabel) in Cameron County, Texas.

Photograph of Point Isabel lighthouse as seen from western side.

Photograph of Point Isabel lighthouse as seen from its base on the easter side.

Wide angle exterior of Presidio Nuestra Señora de Loreto de la Bahía in Goliad, TX.

Photograph of the exterior of Frijole Ranch Cultural Museum in Guadalupe Mountains National Park as seen from the Smith Spring Trail facing southeast.