Comanche Gap was a break in the mountain chain from the Lampasas River to Nolan Creek, a route to one of the oldest Indian trails in the Southwest and an escape point for Comanches after the last raid in Bell County. On March 14-16, 1859, the Indians killed four settlers, including John and Jane Riggs. They captured Rhoda and Margaret, daughters of the Riggses, but abandoned them here at the gap as they fled from a posse. Public feeling after this raid led to a campaign against the Comanches, led by Maj. Earl Van Dorn, commanding U.S. Cavalry.