Texas State Travel Guide: 1988 Page: 97
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Rio Grande Village open seasonally, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Big Bend Ranch State Natural Area- See LAJITAS.
Hallie's Hall of Fame Museum-Houses mementos and relics found
on Hallie Stillwell's ranch. Mrs. Stillwell's book, "I'll Gather My Geese,"
recalls her life as a teacher and rancher in and around the rugged national
parklands. Nearby is Stillwell RV Park and Store. Just north of Big Bend to
F.M. 2627, then east to the facilities. 915/376-2244.
Scenic Drive-El Camino del Rio, Spanish for "The River Road," is local
name for F.M. 170 that stretches from Lajitas northwest to Presidio and
beyond. An excellent paved route, it's one of the most spectacular drives in
Texas, plunging over mountains and canyons along the sun-drenched Rio
Grande. Drivers are cautioned that the route encounters steep grades (15%),
sharp curves, occasional loose livestock, and low-water crossings; special
alert for large RVs or vehicles pulling large trailers.
BIG LAKEPop. 3,744
Alt. 2,678
Map N-10
General-Community developed with build-
ing of Orient Railroad in 1911; served as, marketing and retail center for surrounding
cattle and sheep ranches. The Univ. of Texas
owned much of rather and grazing land
around Big Lake where, in 1923, a large oil pool was discovered with the
Santa Rita No. 1. The discovery made the Univ. of Texas one of the richest
schools in nation (see below). Today Big Lake is seat of Reagan County;
name derived from large, shallow depression to the south that forms a broad,
shallow lake during rare wet seasons.
Old Courthouse-Northwest about 12 miles, among flat tablelands and low
hills, two-story building of native stone in community of Stiles, county seat at
turn of the century. When large landowner refused to let railroad cross his
property, the line built through Big Lake and Stiles withered.
Reagan County Park-Large park area with community center, pool, pic-
nic shelters, camping (with hookups), replica of Santa Rita No. 1. North of
city via Utah Ave.
Santa Rita No. 1-Actual well site with oil derrick and some of the origi-
nal equipment used during gusher of May 28, 1923; 8,525-ft. well productive
until 1990. Historical marker outside fenced site gives more details about the
famous well that brought an era of prosperity to West Texas. Four miles west
of town on U.S. 67.
-4_Heritage Museum in Big Spring
Includes bed-and-breakfast country guest house, tearoom (reservations
required), antique/gift shop, and needle craft house, headquarters of a
nationwide needle craft company. Open year round. At intersection of
U.S. 80/Texas 155; phone 903/636-4303.BIG SPRING
Pop. 23,258Alt. 2,397
Map L-10
General-Seat of Howard County; name
derived from huge natural spring on Sulphur
Draw that watered buffalo, antelope, wild
mustangs, and Comanche and Shawnee
Indians. First white men at site in 1849.
Spring today is at center of city park (see below).
City is home of Howard College and Dorothy Garrett Coliseum, and
Southwest Collegiate Institute for the Deaf.
Heritage walking tour features 26 historic buildings with antique and gift
shops, railroad and train display and memorabilia. From Railroad Plaza
where Union Pacific railroad meets Main St.
Big Spring State Park-343-acre park contains dance pavilion, play-
ground, picnic sites, jogging and nature trails, and prairie dog town.
Scenic drive overlooks city. At south edge of city off F.M. 700; admission;
day use only.
City Park-Home of spring that gave Big Spring its name; features 6,500-
seat Comanche Trail Amphitheater. The 400-acre park offers swimming pool,
18-hole golf course, tennis courts, baseball fields, playgrounds, pavilions, and
hike, bike and nature trails. On south edge of city; access from U.S. 87 and
from F.M. 700.
Heritage Museum-Pioneer and Indian artifacts, art exhibits, and displays
of local history and early West Texas. Houses the world's largest collection of
Texas Longhorn steer horns. Unique to the Southwest is exhibit of 46 rare
and unusual phonographs; late 1800s to 1920s models made by Edison,Comanche Trail Park's Big Spring gave city its name
Annie's Tearoom in Big Sandy
BIG SANDY
Pop. 1,211MA
Alt. 333
Map K-21
General-First settlement of the woodlands
area dates from Mexican land grants of
1835. Founded when Cotton Belt Railroad
was built through town in 1877; named for
nearby Sandy Creek. Rural community issite of Ambassador College.
Annie's-Complex of exquisitely restored Victorian homes clustered around
old-fashioned gardens accented by colorful plantings and immaculate lawns.L
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas State Travel Guide: 1988, book, 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1203617/m1/99/?q=waco+tornado: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.