This 105 Howitzer served in Sept. 1943 with 132nd Field Arty. Bn., U.S. Army, in support of 142nd Inf. 36th Div., in Battle of the Rapido River, Salerno, Italy — One of the bloodiest actions in World War II. In the fighting, this cannon was . . . — — Map (db m61046) HM
The mountains toward the east are limestone reef beds deposited in the Cretaceous and Permian seas about 135 million years ago and 250 million years ago; respectively. The limestone reefs overlie deformed rocks in the Ouachita Fold Belt, which is . . . — — Map (db m26361) HM
The northern, or "highland",
region of Brewster County has
the highest average elevations
in the County, ranging from
3,700 up to 6,000 feet above
sea level. Lower temperatures
and slightly increased rainfall
contribute to open . . . — — Map (db m163876) HM
Formed from Presidio County
Created February 2, 1887.
Organized February 14, 1887.
In 1897 the territory of Buchel
and Foley counties was
added to Brewster. Named for
Henry Percy Brewster, 1816-1884
soldier and statesman, a hero . . . — — Map (db m60923) HM
Called San Lorenzo by Juan Domínguez de Mendoza, 1684. Later Charco de Alzate in honor of an Apache chieftain. After Civil War given name of Burgess' water hole honoring John W. Burgess, pioneer freighter, who here outwitted the Apaches. The . . . — — Map (db m26390) HM
Erected in 1893. Oldest public school building standing in Alpine. Abandoned as school in 1910. Later served as a hospital, college dormitory, Border Patrol station and U.S. Agricultural and Soil Conservation Service.
Recorded Texas . . . — — Map (db m139127) HM
Side A:
County Named for Texas Confederate Colonel Henry P. Brewster 1816-1884South Carolinian came to Texas, 1836 - Attorney General, State of Texas, 1847-49. When South seceded he was instrumental in recruiting post office . . . — — Map (db m44612) HM
Building erected in 1887 when Brewster County was created. Served Buchel and Foley Counties until these areas where added to Brewster County. Courthouse Square still is community center for various events.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark . . . — — Map (db m61016) HM
On this fateful date, the Marfa Border Patrol Sector was conducting a ground breaking ceremony for the new Alpine station facility you see standing in the background. The ceremony was halted when the report was received and all personnel were put on . . . — — Map (db m47215) WM
Early Human History in the Big Bend Region
Historic Period - AD 1535 - The first Spaniards entered the Big Bend beginning with Cabeza de Vaca in AD 1535. Spanish entradas in the late 1500s and 1600s led to the establishment . . . — — Map (db m220415) HM
1475 CE* 1492 - Columbus lands on San Salvador Island in the Caribbean West Indies 1497 - John Cabot, first known English party to land in North America, northeast Canada 1521 - Hernán Cortés conquers the Aztec Empire 1528 - Panfilo de Narváez . . . — — Map (db m160836) HM
When the railroad came through this area in 1882, the settlement of Osborne was established here near natural springs. The community's name changed to Murphysville in 1883, and at that time, as the population began to grow, missionaries arrived from . . . — — Map (db m61014) HM
Built in 1890 by Trinidad Garcia, ranch hand. Original four rooms had adobe walls 27 to 33 inches thick. Was a social center for many years. Since 1926, home of Thomas Valadez, a leading local merchant, and family. House now has eight rooms. . . . — — Map (db m61072) HM
This Spanish Colonial Revival hotel was built in 1912 for John R. Holland (d.1922), a successful area cattleman. Completed during the mercury mining boom days of Alpine, it served as the civic, social, and business center for the growing city. After . . . — — Map (db m61069) HM
This tablet is dedicated
to the men & women
of
Brewster County
in grateful recognition
of their patriotic
service to our country
in times of war
Erected AD 1948
by
American Legion Auxiliary
Big Bend Unit No. 79
Alpine, . . . — — Map (db m61354) WM
Julius Canselor Bird (1863-1925) was born in Round Mountain (Blanco Co.), and came to West Texas at age 18 as a Texas Ranger, protecting crews during construction of the transcontinental railroad. J.C. then homesteaded and ranched on ten sections of . . . — — Map (db m139126) HM
Built 1884 by an early settler, J.C. Carr. Adobe brick double walls were laid at night, slowly drying to super-strength, in time-honored southwestern manner.
Five adobe rooms were added after 1903 sale to Judge R.B. Slight (1869-1953), English . . . — — Map (db m61015) HM
Born in Wharton County, John Riley Holland as a young man moved to Brady (McCulloch Co.) to become a rancher. He married Mary L. Fuller in 1881; the couple had two children, Crystal and Clay. By 1884, the Hollands moved to Presidio County near . . . — — Map (db m61070) HM
1680 CE*
1683 – Juan Domínguez de Mendoza leads first expedition to La Junta de los Rios in 95 years
1693 – Juan Fernández de Retana leads expedition to protect native Jumano Indians from Apache Indian raids at La Junta . . . — — Map (db m160837) HM
Iowa born family came to Texas 1839. Gained experience with Indians in central Texas while father was Indian agent. Led reservation Indians in campaigns against Comanches. As Ranger company captain in 1855 he killed the noted Comanche Chief Peta . . . — — Map (db m50296) HM
Built 1890 by F.H. Nolte, early settler, on land in Murphyville (now Alpine). The 20-inch walls are made of adobe bricks molded at the building site. Home was sold 1893 to John Rooney, second county Sheriff. The exterior looks as it did in 1890. . . . — — Map (db m60924) HM
Site of the first Roman Catholic Church in Alpine. Deeded to the Diocese of San Antonio in 1896 by father and son Daniel and Thomas O. Murphy. The original adobe church building was dedicated November 19, 1902, by the Rev. A.J. Forest, Bishop of San . . . — — Map (db m61090) HM
[Bottom plaque]
This building is the original Brewster County Jail. Completed in 1888, the old jail was subsequently modified on numerous occasions to meet various requirements of the State of Texas. In 1995, upon completion of a new . . . — — Map (db m195517) HM
Parish Hall, site of the oldest church building in Alpine, originally called Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, completed in 1892 and in continuous use as a church until 1942, and as a parish hall until 1964.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark - . . . — — Map (db m61093) HM
The present church building was dedicated on January 6, 1943, by Rev. Sidney M. Metzger, Bishop of El Paso. Construction began in 1941 under Father Francis Juaniz with members of the parish donating over $10,000. Contributions by the Catholic . . . — — Map (db m61091) HM
This marble slab and tablet carries our message of grateful remembrance for their interest in and courage to seek a home site in this rugged, yet beautiful range of mountains and valleys. Most of our pioneers came in the eighties and it can be said . . . — — Map (db m61048) HM
Transportation
In the thirty years following the Civil War, massive trail drives brought more than 10
million cattle to markets in the Midwest. Driving herds
across country was time-consuming and expensive in staff, supplies and wear on . . . — — Map (db m163874) HM
Frame and adobe. Built facing old cattle loading pens on the Southern Pacific Railway.
Lodgings and saloon for cowhands and ranchers in town to ship cattle from widely scattered ranches of the Big Bend country. — — Map (db m61071) HM
This mural commemorates Alpine's original Art Colony that produced two of the top WPA Mural Project's artists during the 1940's.
The Art Department at what was then Sul Ross State Teachers College (1923-1949) began as the Department of Drawing . . . — — Map (db m290097) HM
This enduring monument of marble with attached bronze plaque is a symbol of honor and a tribute of praise for the valiant service rendered by the men and women from Brewster County who answered the call of duty in the Armed Forces of the nation, not . . . — — Map (db m61049) HM
Built in 1908 by local architect and building contractor William Daugherty for William Wallace Townsend (1833-1915), this house is a good example of a turn-of-the-century residence. Allen H. Palmer purchased the home in 1920 and lived here until his . . . — — Map (db m61142) HM
