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Historic Fort Stockton is located on the east side of town at the intersection of Fifth Street and Rooney Street.

Today, the site includes three buildings from the original officer’s row, the original limestone Guard House, two reconstructed enlisted men’s barracks and kitchens, and the original parade ground.

Following the abandonment of the fort in 1886 due to the frontier moving west, the complex con-

HISTORIC FORT STOCKTON

sisted of 35 buildings. Two of them – the Guard House and Powder Magazine – were built of locally quarried limestone from surrounding mesas and the remainders were constructed of adobe brick with limestone foundations.

Four of the original buildings, including a private residence that was previously a part of the eight officer’s quarters. The two enlisted men’s barracks and kitchens were reconstructed from the original blueprints following extensive archeological excavations.

Historic Fort Stockton is listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and owned by the City of Fort Stockton. The property is managed by the Fort Stockton Historical Society.

Barracks 1 houses the museum and visitor center containing informative videos on fort history and the Buffalo Soldiers who occupied this site, original photographs and artifacts, and a gift shop. Visitors are welcome to tour the fort and museum.

Greetings

Here are just a few of the exciting things to do in Brewster County.

MARATHON, TEXAS – The second largest town in Brewster County is located 26 miles southeast of Alpine. It plays host to the historic Gage Hotel.

If you’re into birding and picnics, and longing for the sight of water, Post Park is the place for you. Located

five miles south of town, it was the site of Fort Pena Colorado, an army outpost from 1879-1896.

Marathon also offers a grocery store, as well as several art galleries and quaint shops for those needing their shopping fix.

BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK – The crown jewel of Brewster County, the

park boasts mountain woodlands, desert lowlands, and a riparian habitat that stretches 118 miles along the Rio Grande. Hosting the only mountain range located completely within a national park, the Chisos Basin offers lodging at the Chisos Mountain Lodge, dining, souvenirs, and some of the most outstanding hikes in the country.

The Window Trail is something to behold at sunset. If you’re up and about before sunrise, the 1,500-foot cliffs carved out of the desert landscape at Santa Elena Canyon are a sight to behold. Big Bend National Park is also home to the largest diversity of species in the country, both plants and animals.

The park also offers two stores with fuel, water, and snacks - one at Rio Grande Village and the other just beyond the visitor’s center at Panther Junction.

STUDY BUTTE – At the junction of Texas Highway 118 and FM 170, Study Butte offers everything essential to trekking through the desert.

If you’re looking for adventure, several outfitters offer jeep tours, river trips, or horseback riding.

TERLINGUA – Best known for the International Chili Cook-Off held every year in November, the Terlingua Ghost Town is nowhere near a ghost town! The town was founded as a quicksilver mining establishment in 1903, but now boasts lodging, dining, shopping, and the best kept secret in the Big Bend - the view from the porch.

The high desert is the place for mountain biking and other activities, including guided hikes and bike and river tours.

LAJITAS – Situated between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park, Lajitas is home to the Lajitas Golf Resort. Boasting one of the top five championship golf courses according to the Dallas Morning News, these links offer breathtaking vistas seen nowhere else. Lajitas also has a general store with snacks, drinks, and fuel.

FORT STOCKTON VISITOR CENTER

- The Fort Stockton Visitor Center is the starting place to explore the historical sites of Fort Stockton. It houses information regarding Fort Stockton, local sites, and other tourism destinations including the self-guided historic driving tour. Outside features a beautiful pond, silhouettes, a train car, a pump jack, and other exhibits that symbolize Fort Stockton. It is located in the original Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad Depot constructed in 1911.

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BARTON WARNOCK VISITOR CENTER

AND BIG BEND RANCH STATE PARK

Sitting at the edge of Big Bend Ranch State Park, deep in the Chihuahuan Desert rests the Barton Warnock Visitor Center.

Named after Dr. Barton Warnock, a well-respected botanist in the Big Bend region, Texas Parks and Wildlife purchased the visitor center and its’ grounds in 1990. The center manages 56,000 acres of the Big Bend Ranch State Park along what is considered the “River Corridor” out of the over 300,00 acres that the park encompasses.

Previously built and maintained by the Lajitas Foundation,

the visitor center sits at the eastern entrance to Big Bend Ranch State Park and is the doorway for West Texas travelers to 570 million years of geological history. The center also showcases the five biological landscapes of the Chihuahuan Desert, also known as Big Bend.

The visitor center is the stop for backpacking, camping, and river-use permits and licensing inside the Big Bend Ranch State Park.

The park is unimproved, in that there are no formal facilities beyond the visitor center until you reach Fort Leaton at the western edge of the park in Presidio County along

the scenic River Road. The River Road, also known as Hwy. 170 runs between Lajitas and Presidio and is touted by National Geographic as being one of the Top 10 scenic drives in the U.S.

Visitors wishing to hike, back-

pack, and mountain bike should always take precautions during spring, summer, and early fall as temperatures can be extreme and fresh water is not readily available. For more information call (432) 424-3327

to the

WELCOME BIG BEND

We’re so glad you’re here in the Big Bend, whether you’re a visitor, a newcomer, or a long-time resident, and we’ve aimed our Visit Big Bend Welcome Guide at all of you.

If you’re a visitor, you’ll want to make the most of your time here. Newcomers can learn all about the area before venturing out. And long-time residents might find new places to explore.

Everything from hikes to scenic drives, to bird and wildlife watching, to stargazing, to just plain relaxing is offered, so you’re sure to find lots to add to your list of things to do in the Big Bend.

And be sure to check out the Just Ahead app for iPhone and Android that will guide you through our area with maps and detailed directions – no Wi-Fi or phone connection needed.

Cover photo by Joe Lorenz

Photo credits: J.T. Maroney, Kara Gerbert, Matt Walter , Additional photo credits to Alpine Avalanche or Fort Stockton Pioneer unless otherwise noted.

Credits: Mural photos and Fort Davis Photos by J.T. Maroney

Credits: Stillwell, Davis Mountains State Park, Mc Donald Observatory, Marathon Sky Park and Motel, and Barton Warnock-courtesy photos

Credits: All other photos by Alpine Avalanche or Fort Stockton Pioneer unless otherwise noted.

Serving Van Horn, Alpine, Marfa, Ft Davis and surrounding areas.

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FOOD OF FAR WEST TEXAS

So, you’ve hiked that hike and visited that village. Now it’s time to vanquish your hunger, and where better to do that than in the Big Bend. Our cuisine is as unique as our people and places, and doesn’t disappoint.

Beef is a big part of dining in the Big Bend, and finding that perfectly crusted chicken fried steak, or that juicy burger topped with bacon and a fried egg, if it contains beef it’s going to be a winner.

We certainly don’t want to leave out our barbecue folks. There is some brisket in the Big Bend that will give those Hill Country folks a run for their money. These pit masters don’t leave out the fowl either. Those folks can smoke a bird faster than they can migrate.

Speaking of migrating, we offer wild game specialties on our menus that will tease your palate and bring you back for more. I’m talking about perfectly cooked bison, delicately prepared quail, and perfectly fried antelope just to name a few.

Being neighbors with Mexico, their authentic food has migrated across the border to give us some of the best Mexican food to be found. Whether you’re looking for that perfectly seasoned bowl of beans, that cheesy fried chile relleno, or that perfect bowl of chile macho or pico de gallo, we have it. Our enchiladas, picadillo, and asado are on point as well, and never forget we celebrate taco Tuesdays with the best of them here in the Big Bend.

Now that you’ve sampled that Mexican combination plate, savored that chef-prepared steak, and even relished that made to order sandwich, you are asking yourself what took you so long to visit this mecca of West Texas dining. The Big Bend is small on population, but we are big on flavor, and have something to suit even the finickiest palate.

So, do yourself a favor and enjoy some of the best dining West of the Pecos.

POPULAR BIRDING BIG SPOTS IN THE BEND

Birding is fast becoming a popular past time in Big Bend. Big Bend National Park itself has over 450 documented species of birds, and the Big Bend area is one of the main migration corridors for birds. Here are some popular places to catch a glimpse of some of the avian species the area has to

• Davis Mountains State Park in Jeff Davis County

• Lawrence E. Wood picnic area in Jeff Davis County

• Rio Grande Village in Big Bend National Park

• Kokernot Park in Alpine

• Post Park in Marathon

• Boot Springs in Big Bend

National Park

• Sam Nail Ranch in Big Bend

National Park

• Dugout Wells in Big Bend

National Park

• Gage Gardens in Marathon

• Fort Leaton State Historical Site in Presidio County

The Museum of the Big Bend, located on the campus of Sul Ross State University, is your first stop as you begin your journey into Big Bend country.

Housed in a 1936 Texas Centennial Memorial Museum building, the Museum of the Big Bend tells the unique story of Brewster, Jeff Davis and Presidio counties that make up the Big Bend region.

Exhibits and videos explore the history of the Big Bend, starting with the world’s largest flying reptile, the Texas Pterosaur, to the creation of the Rio Grande River as an international border, the story of the Buffalo Soldiers, the history of Sul Ross State University and much more. The Museum also hosts revolving temporary exhibits that all reflect the Big Bend area and the American West.

GALLERIES • BOUTIQUES • DINING • LIVE MUSIC • GUEST LODGING

See visitalpinetx.com for a full listing of Alpine’s hotels, shops and galleries. Follow us on Facebook at Visit Alpine, Texas and @visitalpinetx on Instagram for the latest event information.

Photos: Top © Ben Panter, Bottom L to R © Alex Pérez, Micheal Howard, Stylle Read

THE LASTING IMPACT OF THE CIVILIAN CONSERVATION CORPS

The Davis Mountains State Park is one of the best examples of what would result out of the Great Depression.

The park was officially established in 1933 with 560 acres being donated by local landowners devastated by the Great Depression.

One of the earliest projects created by the Texas Civilian Conservation Corp, Davis Mountains State Park had many of the facilities still in use today built by this group of men between 1933 and 1935.

Among the buildings was the Indian Lodge, a 16-room, full-service hotel that would be added onto by Texas Parks and Wildlife in 1967, bring-

ing the number of rooms to 39. TPWD would also add campgrounds the same year.

The CCC’s would also build the five-mile scenic Skyline Drive, as well as a mess hall, a recreation hall, and stone picnic tables, fireplaces, and steps.

Thanks to the early work of the CCC’s and the Texas Legislature, Davis Mountains State Park offers recreation and relaxation for visitors from all over. Offering hiking, camping, bird watching, backpacking, mountain biking, stargazing, geocaching, swimming, and even riding your own horse, this park has it all.

For more information call (432) 426-3337

The MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND, located on the campus of Sul Ross State University in Alpine, presents a variety of high quality exhibits each year and tells the compelling story of the Big Bend region of Texas and Mexico in our permanent display, Big Bend Legacy.

HOURS: Tuesday–Saturday, 10:00 am–4:00 pm Closed major holidays

ADMISSION: $5.00/person

Free to Museum members, children 12 and under, and current SRSU students, faculty, and staff. Free Parking

For more information, call 432-837-8730 or visit our website: museumofthebigbend.com

Architectural rendering of the new Emmett and Miriam McCoy building by Page/ Architects

Big Bend Legacy exhibit

JAMES ROONEY MEMORIAL PARK, COMANCHE CREEK & POOL

One of Fort Stockton’s most beautiful outdoor attractions, Rooney Park, lies at the southeast side of town along Sanderson Highway and Spring Drive.

The park is family-orientated with two children’s playgrounds, baseball and softball fields, a 24-hole disc golf course, walking and cardiovascular exercise tracks, barbecue pits, music venue, dog park, the city’s large community hall, and the Comanche Springs canal. When the springs are flowing between December and April, they run through the canal in the park

and exit to the cojoining Comanche Creek, which connects with the Pecos River near Girvin.

Visitors can now kayak on the creek while the springs are flowing and can enjoy a walking trail, starting on the east side of Sanderson Highway, near Rooney Park.

The park is home to an annual Fourth of July Firework Show, Barbeque Cook-Off, New Year’s Eve Firework Show, Car Shows, and much more family fun.

The Comanche Springs Pool, built on top of the original springs, is open during the summer.

The Chinati Foundation

The Chinati Foundation is a contemporary art museum based upon the ideas of its founder, Donald Judd. His intent was to preserve and present to the public largescale installations by a limited number of artists. The foundation is located on 340 acres in Marfa.

It’s normally open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and various tours are available, but you should call ahead as hours may change. Call 432-729-4362 for more information, or visit chinati.org.

Zero Stone Park

Zero Stone Park is the home of the “Zero Stone,” which is the center of the plaza of St. Gall. All lots in St. Gall are referenced from this position. The original site of Camp Stockton was built using the Zero Stone as its primary point of reference.

Zero Stone Park includes a large gazebo and memorials. It is located at the center of Pecos County. It is home to an annual summer concert series, as well as the community’s Easter Sunrise Service, Memorial Day Service, and Veterans’ Day Service.

MUSEUM OF THE BIG BEND

For those with an interest in cartography, the Map Room Hallway features exhibits from one of the most historically significant map groupings in Texas - the Yana and Marty Davis Map Collection. It’s housed in a special maps study room at the Museum, and will enlighten and educate visitors about Texas.

While at the Museum, check out Big Bend Trading Company, the Museum’s gift shop featuring a wonderful selection of unique gifts, jewelry, pottery, books, cards and other items.

The Museum of the Big Bend is reached at Entrance 4 on the Sul Ross campus. Museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. The Museum is closed on Monday and major holidays. Admission and parking is free, and donations are accepted.

For more information, call 432-837-8143, or visit museumofthebigbend.com.

HITTING THE ROAD in the

Sometimes you just want to take a drive and enjoy the amazing West Texas vistas, and that’s easy to do. Roads are good on all these routes, so you won’t need four-wheel drive – a passenger car will do.

Keep in mind that these five drives could get lots longer depending upon your starting point. Only one is a true loop, so allow time to get back where you started or to drive to your ultimate destination.

Bring plenty of snacks and water, and make sure your gas tank is full since most of these routes will take you far from your starting point and offer no accommodations along the way. Oh, and don’t forget your camera.

BIG BEND

There’s no accurate count, but there are dozens of popular hikes in the Big Bend region.

TAKE A HIKE DAY HIKES

CHIHUAHUAN DESERT RESEARCH INSTITUTE – Easy to moderate, 0.33 to 2.25 miles. To get there, drive four miles southeast of Fort Davis to the gate at 43869 Texas Highway 118.

MADERA CANYON TRAIL – A moderate 2.4-mile round trip near the Nature Conservancy’s Davis Mountains Preserve. It’s about 25 miles northwest of Fort Davis on Highway 118, about 10 miles past McDonald Observatory. Look for the Lawrence E. Wood picnic area.

HANCOCK HILL – An easy, 20-30 minutes one way uphill at Sul Ross State University. Be sure to cross over to the desk to the east and sign the notebook.

The suggestions here are all day hikes, so they’re convenient if you’re just looking for a quick outing.

The climate range in the area – from desert floors to mountains – can vary widely, so you can choose a hike to suit the weather.

THE WINDOW TRAIL – Moderate, and uphill most of the way back, 4.4 or 5.6 miles round trip at Big Bend National Park.

CHISOS BASIN LOOP TRAIL – A moderate 1.8-mile round trip through pine and oak with outstanding views. Begins at the Chisos Basin Trailhead at Big Bend National Park.

SANTA ELENA CANYON – An easy 1.8mile round trip at Big Bend National Park, but crosses Terlingua Creek and starts with a moderate uphill climb.

SKYLINE DRIVE TRAIL – A moderate to challenging 4.5 mile roundtrip hike located within the Davis Mountains State park.

Photo

FLORA AND FAUNA OF THE BIG BEND REGION

Thousands of species of plants and wildlife call the Big Bend region home.

you will see herds of pronghorn, grazing in the valleys alongside cattle and possibly horses.

Residing in the northern portion of the Chihuahuan desert, the region hosts within the national park alone, 450 species of birds, 75 species of mammals, 56 species of reptiles, and 11 species of amphibians. On top of all of these, there are around 3,600 species of insects and over 1,200 species of plants, 60 of these being cacti.

Some of these animal and insect species are so elusive you may never see them in your lifetime, much less while visiting.

Further into the Davis and Glass Mountains you may encounter elk. And mule deer and javelina are common everywhere.

If you’re hiking on any of the public lands you may encounter lizards, or if you’re very fortunate the random burrowing owl or ground squirrel.

Riparian areas are hosts to numerous bird species, as well mammals and insects, since being a desert, water is precious commodity.

When you travel between the towns of Alpine, Marathon, and Marfa, there is a good chance

When it comes to flora and fauna, the Big Bend region is in a class all its own.

Desert Cottontail

Photo by Kara Gerbert

Wineries, Distilleries, and Breweries

The Big Bend region plays host to wineries, distilleries, and breweries that are hot spots for visitors to the area. These establishments are located in all four counties of the Trans-Pecos region, and not only offer refreshing, local takes on adult beverages but play host to numerous mu-

sical entertainers throughout the year. They are a meeting place for locals and an introduction to the laid-back lifestyle the Big Bend region is famous for. West Texas has long been a great climate for growing grapes and drinking beer, and visiting these locally-owned establishments will have you returning for more.

YOUR stop in the Big Bend

900 E. Avenue E

Alpine Texas

Brick Vault Brewery and Barbecue in Marathon is a great place to partake in a top-notch BBQ meal and one of their popular local brews.

Viva Big Bend!

Viva Big Bend is an annual four-day music festival set in the Big Bend country. Scheduled each year in late July, this weekend of music showcases 60 shows at over 15 different venues in Alpine, Marfa, Marathon, Fort Davis, Presidio, and Terlingua. It provides an eclectic selection of music from Americana to folk to mariachi and country, with a little bit of rock and roll thrown in for good measure. Lineups include local talents such as Carlos Maxwell, The Doodlin Hogwallops, and Doug Moreland. Over the years it has showcased musical talents such as Reckless Kelly, Mike, and the Moonpies now Silverada, The Texas Tornados, Two Tons of Steel, and Jack Ingram. Each year more than 40 bands take the stage for this West Texas music celebration that brings in visitors from across the state and beyond.

Take a dip in THE HISTORIC CHINATI HOT SPRINGS

The Hot Springs Historic District located within Big Bend National Park connects you with human occupation from thousands of years ago to the early 1900’s.

laria he contracted as a child living in Mississippi, heard tales about a hot spring in the lobby of a hotel in Alpine. Believing this might be the cure for his ailments, Langford went to the surveyor’s office and filed a claim on the spring under the Homestead Act. Two weeks later, the family received word that the claim was theirs.

Rock art adorning limestone cliffs and left behind by Native American inhabitants depict farms full of corn, squash, and beans, nestled along the Rio Grande’s floodplain.

The Hot Springs Post Office stands soaking in the desert sun, and recalls a time when homesteaders settled the Big Bend.

In the early 1900’s, J. O. Langford traveled with his family to West Texas in search of a way to aid his ailing health. Langford, suffering from ma-

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Langford, with his wife, 18-monthold daughter, and a baby on the way set out for the spring in hopes of accomplishing what others had failed to due under the regulations of the Homestead Act. He regained his health after bathing and drinking the spring water for 21 days, and then promptly opened the spring to other bathers, charging 10 cents per day or $2.00 for a 21-day treatment. On top of running the bathhouse, Langford became a schoolteacher, doctor, and postman.

More than just a place to restore one’s health, the hot springs became a place for people from both sides of the river to meet, and was the prelude to the tourism that would come to pass with the creation of Big Bend National Park.

NATURE WALKS at CDRI

The Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center offers twice-monthly Saturday bird walks. The walks are open to all birders, and to those who are interested in learning about birding. The 2.5-3 hour hikes explore along various Nature Center hiking trails, the botanical garden, the new bird blind and water feature, and around the visitor center.

Mindful Monday Morning Walks are offered weekly at 9:30 a.m., and all are welcomed. Contact the Nature Center at 432-364-2499 ext. 2 for dates and more information.

Marfa

The Marfa Lights are a must-see on any visit to the Big Bend. Accounts of strange phenomena just outside Marfa began during the 19th century and continue to this day. Some say they are UFOs or ghosts, but despite much research, they still remain unexplained.

The dancing lights on the horizon might appear as

blue, or red, or white, and usually appear randomly throughout the night during any season or weather condition.

The source of the mystery lights is a point of contention, but you should see them for yourself. The official Marfa Lights Viewing Area is located nine miles east of town on Highway 90 towards Alpine.

Lights

DARK SKIES IN THE BIG BEND

Dark skies and the battle against light pollution is an ongoing battle.

The Big Bend area, situated at the edge of the Permian Basin oilfield, is continually doing its’ part to keep its designation as an international dark sky area.

Both Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park have been designated as International Dark Sky Parks by the International Dark-Sky Association. Likewise, Black Gap Wildlife Management Area has been designated as a Dark Sky Sanctuary.

All three are designated as a One on the Bortle Scale, meaning they are an excellent dark sky site.

Dark skies are incredibly important for the ecosystem as well as for astrono-

mers studying the night skies. Numerous animals rely on night skies for migration purposes, and excessive light pollution can disrupt these migration patterns by throwing them off course and leading to their potential deaths.

Along with migration, many animals are nocturnal feeders, and light pollution can play a role in the success of their feeding strategies.

Besides the two parks and the wildlife management area, visitors can check out our dark skies at the McDonald Observatory just outside of Fort Davis or the Marathon Sky Park, on the western edge of the town of Marathon. Both venues host star parties throughout the year so visitors can enjoy some of the darkest skies in North America.

Stargaze at McDonald Observatory

McDonald Observatory is located in the Davis Mountains under some of the darkest skies in the continental U.S., around 450 miles west of its research and administrative home at the University of Texas at Austin.

The observatory welcomes the public at the Frank N. Bash Visitors Center with advance reservations, and advance reservations are required for all programs as well, including star parties. All reservations must be made online at mcdonaldobservatory. org.

For more information, call 432-426-3640.

ANNIE RIGGS MUSEUM

Housed in an original adobe structure built at the turn of the 20th century, the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum was originally a hotel and boarding house run by a frontier woman of the same name.

The museum contains thirteen rooms recreated with original artifacts, including the house rules set by Annie Riggs posted on the wall. In the lobby, stern-faced sheriffs gaze down at visitors and the desk of Sheriff A.J. Royal whispers of his 1894 murder, a bloody chapter in

the history of Pecos County.

Visitors can experience a thriving desert garden at the back of the museum, complete with inviting benches on a wrap-around porch and an interior courtyard with a restored buggy. The museum also houses a gift shop.

Annie Riggs’ patio plays host to Summer Off the Patio concert series, starting in late May and running through early August.

The museum is owned and operated by the Fort Stockton Historical Society.

Located about eight miles north of the Persimmon Gap entrance to Big Bend National Park on FM 2627, the Stillwell Store and RV Park, along with the Hallie Stillwell Museum is a remote, yet many times welcome stop.

The store carries soft drinks, beer, ice, canned goods and regular gasoline and is the check in for the RV and camping sites. There is no cell service, and WiFi is limited at the store. Due to extreme heat in the late spring and summer months, most tent camping is closed,

and store hours and amenities will be lim ited. The Hallie Stillwell Museum located next-door to the store offers a trip back in time to the life of Hallie Stillwell. Stillwell, honored by the State of Texas as a Texas hero was one of the original settlers in this area of the Big Bend. She wrote several books about her life growing up in the Big Bend area of Texas and she lived to al most 100 years of age. The museum is dedi cated to her life with items, articles, and pho tos and is free of charge.

YOUNG’S STORE

This building originally housed an officer’s club and had living quarters for laundresses from the fort. The retired Sergeant Frederick William (Billy) Young purchased the building and opened Young’s Store in 1876.

FINDING WATER IN THE DESERT

Although the Big Bend region is considered high desert, water isn’t that hard to find, and here are some places to get away from the desert dust.

RIO GRANDE RIVER TRIPS – Five river canyons traverse the Big Bend for kayak, canoe or raft. Find an outfitter in Terlingua.

POST PARK – Find an oasis in the desert south of Marathon, with big shade trees, picnic areas, and a fishing pond.

HOT SPRINGS HISTORIC DISTRICT – There’s a hot spring for soaking on the north side of the Rio Grande in Big Bend National Park. Take the two-mile gravel road that descends down a rough, narrow wash to the Hot Springs Historic District. From the trailhead, it’s a quarter-mile hike to the spring.

ALPINE MUNICIPAL POOL – During the summer months, Alpine opens its swimming pool and charges a modest admission fee. Head over to Kokernot Park for a cool dip.

BALMORHEA STATE PARK – The park’s main feature is a 1.3-acres freshwater pool built around San Solomon Springs. The water temperature stays at 72-76 degrees year round, and the park charges a modest admission fee.

The pool at Balmorhea State Park.

Photo courtesy Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Sites

•

• Sunset Firepit for Evening Fires and

• Peaceful Desert

• 1

• 2 Enclosed Puppy

•

Amenities

• FREE Star link WIFI (it works great)

• Laundry Room Open 24 hrs

• Beautiful Pool with Spacious Covered Patio

• Private Shower/Bathroom Suites

• Enjoy an evening on the .65 mile walking trail

• New Enclosed Fitness Room

• New Game Room and Outdoor Games for some fun with the family

Other

• Check-in time is 12:00 pm

• Office hours are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm

• Simple after-hours self check-in

• Monthly/Weekly/Nightly rates

FORT STOCKTON COMMUNITY THEATRE

Fort Stockton Community Theatre began in 1982 with the mission to serve the community and surrounding area by providing fine arts experiences to entertain, educate, and enhance an appreciation for the performing arts.

A stage in an old elementary school building was the home of the theatre until 1991 when it moved into what is now The Nelson Street Theatre.

In 2015, a fund-raising campaign began to build a new 125-seat, technologically updated theatre and to renovate the old theatre into a venue for meetings, social events, exhibits, and training sessions. The ribbon cutting for the new construction was held Feb. 2020.

FSCT has performed on every flat surface in town and has performed every genre. Besides stage productions by local talent, guest performers have been brought in.

Also, FSCT and the Fort Stockton Film Society have partnered to bring free classic movies to the screen in The Nelson Street Theatre, and Barrio Fest, a Celebration of the Hispanic Culture and History, is held the week-end closest to September 16.

For more information about the Fort Stockton Community Theatre visit fscommunitytheatre. org.

GET THE

BREWSTER COUNTY MOBILE APP! FREE

The Brewster County Tourism Council and Visit Big Bend want you to enjoy your time in Big Bend, and to facilitate this, we ask that you take advantage of our mobile app put out by Just Ahead. This app is free in the Apple Store or Google Play.

Just go to Just Ahead, find Big Bend National Park, and download the app. No wifi, internet, or mobile phone service is needed for this guided tour through Brewster County. For more information on lodging, dining, activities, or the free mobile app, visit our website at visitbigbend.com.

Water Carnival

Oticipants

A FRONTIER POST DEFENDING THE WILDS OF TEXAS

Fort Davis National Historic Site, located in a box canyon near Limpia Creek at the edge of the town that is its’ namesake, was a key part of the defense of the Southwest from 1854 to 1891.

It is considered one of the best remaining examples of a frontier military post in the American Southwest and is named after the Secretary of War Jefferson Davis.

Fort Davis housed troops from the Eighth Infantry from 1854 to 1861. These soldiers spent the majority of their time pursuing area Native American tribes such as the Comanches, Kiowas, and Apaches. When the Civil War broke out and Texas seceded from the Union, the fort was abandoned for the next

five years.

In June of 1867, Lieutenant Colonel Wesley Merritt and the Ninth U.S. Calvary reoccupied Fort Davis, having to rebuild a new post since the primitive structures of before scarcely remained. By the end of 1869, a number of officers’ quarters, two barracks for enlisted men, a guardhouse, a temporary hospital, and a storehouses had been erected just east of the original site.

Fort Davis’ safeguarding of the west Texas frontier against Comanches and Apaches continued until 1881. While the Comanches were defeated in the mid-1870s, the Apaches still posed a problem between San Antonio and El Paso.

Under the command of Lt. Col. Merritt were the African American troops known as “Buffalo Soldiers.” These soldiers amassed a notable record of accomplishments. Reaching the post in 1867, the “Buffalo Soldiers” were key in establishing safe travel from San Antonio to El Paso by helping to drive off and rid the area of raiding Apaches and Comanches. The “Buffalo Soldiers” left Fort Davis, just five years prior to its final occupation by military troops.

For more information call (432) 426-3324.

T IME TRAVEL THROUGH THE LAND OF DINOSAURS AT BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

Big Bend National Park’s Fossil Discovery Exhibit showcases the park’s nearly complete fossil record spanning 130 million years.

The exhibit is housed in a stand-alone facility located at the site of the older fossil bone exhibit, 18 miles south of Persimmon Gap Visitor Center on U.S Highway 385. It has a covered picnic area and restrooms. The unique architecture helps the structure blend into the landscape, and the structure is solar powered and self-sustaining.

The displays represent four time periods of the park’s geologic history. One section includes fossils from the oldest period when the area was covered by a sea. Another section includes the fossil record from when the sea receded, leaving a coastline environment in its place. Later, that same area morphed into a swampy, inland floodplain. And later still, it transitioned into an extinction period that led

to the rise of mammals.

All these time periods are represented by fossils found at the site and in other areas of the park, including a full-size replica of a flying pterosaur, a species of Quetzalcoaltlus found in the park.

addition to the park in over 50 years, and is a destination in itself.

The exhibit includes fos sil replicas of a Croco dilia skull from 83.5 million years ago, and several other large skulls that are kid-friendly—touching and playing on some of the exhibits is al lowed. The more fragile displays are behind thick glass, such as a replica of Bravoc eratops, a specimen discovered four years ago in the park.

The exhibit is the biggest

KOKERNOT FIELD AND THE O 6 COWBOYS

Hailed as the “Yankee Stadium of Texas” by Texas Monthly magazine, the historic Kokernot Field has hosted thousands of baseball games since its’ construction in 1947.

This Alpine landmark was the brainchild of local cattle rancher Herbert Lee Kokernot Jr.

Built with rock quarried from the Kokernot o6 Ranch and genuine Georgia clay, shipped in by boxcar to construct the infield, it was home to Herbert’s semi-professional baseball team, the Alpine Cowboys.

Kokernot Field has hosted exhibition games between the St. Louis Browns and the Chicago White Sox. It was also home to future Ma -

jor Leaguers Norm Cash and Gaylord Perry.

Semi-pro baseball ceased in Alpine after the 1961 season, which led to a turnover in field ownership.

In 1968, the ownership of the field was turned over to the Alpine Independent School District by Kokernot, after Sul Ross had decided to discontinue their baseball program. When the program was revived in 1983, Sul Ross shared the field with the Alpine Bucks.

In 2009, semi-pro baseball would once again grace the diamond in Kokernot Field, when the former Big Bend Cowboys now once again became the Alpine Cowboys in 2011. All three teams share the field now, and the boys of summer are one of the many highlights of the Big Bend.

OLD COUNTY JAIL

TERLINGUA GHOSTOWN

Once the headquarters of the Chisos Mining Company, established in 1903, the Terlingua Ghostown is now home to under 100 full-time residents.

During the quicksilver boom at the turn of the 20th century, Howard E. Perry, an industrialist from Chicago was able to make this remote spot in the Chihuahuan Desert thrive for almost three decades. The community grew to almost 2,000 inhabitants due to the increase in production at the mines with the onset of WWI.

During the 1930’s, production at the mines decreased and the company filed for bankruptcy in 1942.

Today, the Terlingua Ghostown is known as the home of the first Chili Cook-off which began in 1967. Every year on the first weekend in November, the community of Terlingua and the surrounding area is inundated with thousands of “chili heads” who compete against each other to see who has the best chili. This annual contest is one of the largest contributors not only to the local economy, but to local charities such as the Terlingua Schools and the Terlingua Fire and EMS services.

Currently, the Ghostown as it is referred to by locals, is owned and operated by Bill and Lisa Ivey and was previously owned by Bill’s father, the late

Rex Ivey. The Ivey’s provide lodging within the community, as well as a trading post store full of everything from jewelry to t-shirts, to beer and books. They are also proprietors of the famous Starlight Theater, offering drinks and dining to visitors and locals alike.

Perhaps one of the most iconic aspects of the community is the Terlingua Cemetery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it is one of the most photographed places in all of Texas and has been an active cemetery since 1902. It is the top tourist attraction in Terlingua.

MURALS IN ALPINE S

troll through the breezeway alongside the Reata Restaurant (between the street and their patio), and marvel at the colorful mural depicting scenes from which the restaurant takes its name, “Giant.”

Walk down the street two blocks south, and you’ll see two more fabulous murals by Stylle Reed on the side of Kiowa Gallery. One mural displays many mages of West Texas and Alpine, including one of Sul Ross’s most famous alumni, Dan Blocker of “Bonanza.” The other mural is based on “Poco a Poquito” calendar artwork by Jesus Helguera, and was a gift to Alpine from ArtWalk, painted by Stylle Reed and volunteers in a weekend.

Alpine’s newest murals honor the Texas Rangers and the Alpine Volunteer Fire Department. You’ll see the Texas Ranger mural, also by Stylle Reed, on the side of the Prescription Shop on Holland Avenue, and a stroll down Holland Avenue past Kishmish Plaza will take you right to the Volunteer Fire Department mural.

Besides these murals, there are many other to see around downtown Alpine, including murals from local artists, Sul Ross State University art students, and even more from Stylle Reed.

MUSEUM • FROM 14

While at the Museum, check out Big Bend Trading Company, the Museum’s gift shop featuring a wonderful selection of unique gifts, jewelry, pottery, books, cards and other items.

For more information, call 432-837-8143, or visit museumofthebigbend.com.

Photo credit: Matt Walter

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PAISANO PETE

The 11-foot tall, massive roadrunner statue, Paisano Pete, is easy to find as you drive through the intersection of North Main Street and East Dickinson Boulevard in Fort Stockton.

if you visit during the holiday, expect to see the roadrunner in appropriate apparel for the season.

The statue holds the world record for being the world's largest roadrunner, according to the World Record Academy.

Since 1979, Pete has been one of the most recognizable roadside attractions in the southwest. You can visit Pete at any time, and

Paisano Pete was the brainchild of former Fort Stockton Mayor Gene Cummings.

Set at mid-stride, as if he’s about to take off wildly across West Texas, the roadrunner statue has been the adopted symbol of the community ever since his creation.

Paisano Pete was named a True Texas Icon as a town mascot by Texas Highway’s magazine.

ST. STEPHENS EPISCOPAL & ROLLINGS SIBLEY HOUSE

St. Stephens Episcopal Church is one of the oldest Protestant churches west of the Pecos River.

The Rollins Sibley House is a one-story adobe residence that was built on a portion of the fort hospital foundation in 1905 by the Rollins family. It was later purchased by the Sibley Family, who donated the home to the county in 1966.

& Trost design

Trost & Trost design