Camp Roberts The canyon was long suspected, but only confirmed in the 1990s, of having been used as a campsite by
Francisco Vásquez de Coronado and his army twice in spring of 1541 while on his
El Dorado expedition. The water and timber afforded by the White River and the trees growing along its banks would have provided an ideal campsite in the 16th century. Indeed, although the river is mostly dry now due to
pumping, local anecdotes maintain that fishing was possible in the river until the mid-20th century. The canyon valley still appears fertile, and
cottonwood trees line the creek bed. It was on October 10, 1871, also the site of the main skirmish of Col.
Ranald S. Mackenzie's initial campaign against the Plains
Comanches, known as the
Battle of Blanco Canyon. On this same campaign, Mackenzie established a supply camp named Anderson's Fort on a curved ridge a short distance southeast of the canyon mouth; it is now on the
National Register of Historic Places. Early settlers were attracted to the site for the same reason as Coronado had been - the ready supply of wood and water, which were rarities in the area.
Floydada's
country club is also located in the canyon. ==Access==