Special Thanks to Kevin Gentry,
Everett Lueck, and Earl Knoob
Located at Mile Post 20.8 and 314’ is Gibson
Road. Nearby Crystal Lake was the site of one of three water tanks that
early steam locomotives used. The other two tanks were in North Rusk and
Palestine. As the railroad was being constructed through here towards
Palestine in 1906, Camp Gill was established to house the convicts doing
the work.
Today there is a large clearing on the south side of the tracks at
Gibson Road. Being one of the few open spots in the piney woods, it has
been used on special photography excursions.
The remains of a passing siding are just east of
the bridge (east of the road) and on the south side of the track.
It is believed that Gibson Road was named for the G.W. Gibson, the
postmaster at the nearby Sills Creek Post Office in the 1850’s
Magma
Arizona #7 heading west at Crystal Lake, immediately east of Gibson
Road.
Magma
Arizona #7 heading west at Crystal Lake, immediately east of Gibson
Road.
Volunteers repainted the sign in 2014
Volunteers repainted the sign in 2014
The
newly painted sign
The
remains of a siding are hiding under the brush on the south side of the
main line at the Crystal Lake sign.
The
newly painted sign
TSR
#201 west bound just east of Gibson Road
Volunteers walk west across the bridge towards Gibson Road.
East
bound train just east of Gibson Road, on the bridge.
East
bound train just east of Gibson Road, on the bridge.
Heading east from Crystal Lake in a Hi-Rail
Looking west towards Crystal Lake
Gibson
Road Crossing
Magma
Arizona #7 heading east at the Gibson Road Crossing
Magma
Arizona #7 heading east at the Gibson Road Crossing
TSR
#201 going west between Crystal Lake and Gibson Road.
