Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

Being there was extra time to spend in Alpine, Texas I explored the little town and discovered the Museum of the Big Bend located at the Sul Ross State University.

Creation quote Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

The museum covers the natural and human history of this culturally diverse region.

Spanish artifacts display Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

Native Americans inhabited the area for thousands of years before the arrival of the Spanish.

Candelilla plant display Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

Long before Texas became part of the United States, Mexican people lived on both sides of the Rio Grande River.

Map of the Big Bend 1883 Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

Then there was the westward expansion across America.

Hoss from Ponderosa display Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

And don’t forget the more modern icon of Dan Blocker, playing Hoss Cartwrite from the 1959-1973 TV show Bonanza, whose Alma Mater is the Sul Ross State University.

Funny art in Trappings of Texas display Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

Also on exhibit was “Trappings of Texas”, an annual western art show that opened with the Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering at the end of February.

US & Mexico map 1887 Museum of the Big Bend Alpine Texas

Plus selections from the the Davis Map Collection.

Too many interpretive signs with too much text caused me to only read the headlines. Otherwise I’d have been in this sweet little museum about five times the hour it took me to take it in.

Hwy 118 North towards Fort Davis Texas

Yet I did enjoy the historical preview to the Big Bend area as I plan to visit Big Bend National Park on my return to Arizona.