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Tunas Peak

Coordinates: 30°53′38″N 102°19′26″W / 30.89389°N 102.32389°W / 30.89389; -102.32389
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tunas Peak
Squawteat Peak
Highest point
Elevation2924 ft (891 m)[1]
Prominence278 ft (84 m)
Coordinates30°53′38″N 102°19′26″W / 30.89389°N 102.32389°W / 30.89389; -102.32389
Geography
Tunas Peak is located in Texas
Tunas Peak
Tunas Peak

Tunas Peak, also known as Squawteat Peak, is a breast-shaped hill in Pecos County, Texas.

Archaeology

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Archaeological features found at Tunas Peak include tipi rings as well as several fire-cracked rock middens. Artifacts found include various projectile points (primarily Perdiz, Livermore, and Langtry types) and shell pendants.[2] Excavations took place in 1974 and 1980 under the Texas Department of Highways and Public Transportation during the construction and expansion of Interstate Highway 10 in compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.[3]

Name

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The hill is named for its proximity to Tunas Creek. The more regionally common name of Squawteat Peak is a reference to the ethnic and sexual slur squaw, and is now generally avoided in academic circles.

Writing for The Austin Chronicle, Gerald McLeod nicknamed the mountain "Perky Breast Mountain" to avoid using the colloquial local name.[4]

Tourism

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The town of Bakersfield has long been a ghost town, but Tunas Peak's distinctive appearance, offensive local name, and location off Interstate Highway 10 has led to it becoming a notable roadside attraction.[5] A gas station in Bakersfield sells hats and keychains depicting the peak.[4]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tunas Peak, Texas". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  2. ^ "Squawteat Peak". Texas Beyond History. University of Texas. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  3. ^ Justice, Glenn. "Squawteat Peak". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  4. ^ a b McLeod, Gerald (January 29, 2016). "Day Trips: Perky Breast Mountain, Bakersfield". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  5. ^ "Bakersfield, Texas: Squawteat Peak". RoadsideAmerica.com. Retrieved 18 May 2023.