Mayfield Dugout
Also known as: 41 Bi 52
Why it's listed
Built in 1889, this half-dugout sits in the bank of a draw along a tributary of Rock Creek, roughly seven miles west-northwest of Silverton in Briscoe County. Construction began by digging a pit into the slope and lining its walls with rock. Horizontally laid logs formed the upper part of the walls, and mud plaster covered the interior stone and the chinked log sections. Three long beams sunk into the bank, with a central post, support a roof of logs covered in sod. The room measures about 15 by 20 feet, with a ceiling 8 to 9 feet high and a flue at the rear. Settlers chose this form because timber was scarce and the weather was unpredictable and often violent. The dugout was lived in, then preserved, by the family that built it, and two local ranchers were born there. A 1970 survey found only two other examples, both ruined. Other dugouts have been moved or reconstructed at museums, while this one remains in its original setting.
Significance in brief: It is a well-preserved example of the dugout shelters once common on the Texas plains, built in response to scarce timber and harsh weather. A 1970 survey found only two other examples in the area, both ruined, and the Mayfield Dugout remains in its original setting.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 73001960, listed June 18, 1973. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | 7 mi. NW of Silverton, Silverton |
|---|---|
| County | Briscoe County |
| Listed | June 18, 1973 |
| Reference number | 73001960 |
| Resource type | Structure |
| Period of significance | 19th Century (specific date 1889) |
| Architectural style | Half-dugout (broken country type dugout) |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Condition listed as excellent and unaltered, on its original site; used for agriculture. It was lived in and then preserved by the family that built it. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Coordinates | 34.50828, -101.42425 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 73001960.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q6797170
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.