|
Big Bend’s Tumultuos Heritage
Until you visit the vast open wilderness of West Texas’ Big Bend area you cannot fully comprehend how these environs have transformed since the Spanish conquest. The cultural heritage of West Texas has been the “stuff” of stories and movies about conquest, war, mining and ranching, “Cowboys and Indians.” The Big Bend has been home to native peoples for centuries; non-natives date back about 500 years to the Spaniards crossing the Rio Grande in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Throughout recorded history 6 different flags have flown over Texas (thus the name of the theme park!). Today, you can drive your car or motorcycle along portions of the Comanche Trail, the route followed by warriors making raids into Mexico for food, cattle and slaves. You should also stop at the La Harmonia Store in the Castolon Historic District. Here you’ll get a snap shot of the area’s history over time: soldier barracks, remains of officer quarters, and the Trading Post/Store where a number of local ranchers ran trading, commercial and business enterprises (post office, assay office and claims registration) for over 80 years. After all, Mexicans were farming the Rio Grande's riverbanks by 1900. The store now provides staples, sundries and souvenirs plus a very unique collection of old equipment, tools and household items used by farmers and ranchers.
The Old Ore Road Tour is a double delight for historians and photographers. It takes you to the Rio Grand River, near early ranching sites at Willow Springs and McKinney Springs, and along the mining road used to deliver ore from the Chisos Mountains to the railroad in nearby Marathon TX. You even get to hike the ½- mile Ernst Tinaja Trail through a colorful limestone canyon.
On the Old River Road and Glenn Springs Tour guests visit Big Bend’s Mariscal Mine ruins (where 1/4 of the mercury produced in the United States during the first half of the twentieth century came from) and the Glenn Springs historic site where, tragically, two settler communities were surprise attacked by Mexican bandits in 1916 during the early years of the Mexican Revolution.
The Indian Head Springs and Moon Valley Tour features a Native American camp site used for over 7,000 years and the Moon Valley area where Neil Armstrong trained for taking core samples during his historic moon walk in the late 1960’s.
Forever Resorts is Concessioner at Chisos Mountains Lodge, the only full-service lodging in Big Bend National Park and also owns Big Bend Resort and Adventures in Terlingua, complete with a large RV Park, Camp Ground, Convenience Camp Store and seasonal restaurant.
And good news for history buffs! Forever’s Big Bend Overland Tours has just updated its scenic van excursions to include several off-the-beaten-path heritage and scenic locations few people will ever get to visit. Call 432-371-2218 for information and reservations.
|
