The
Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
took a day trip to Alpine, Texas
September 14, 2022 |
Alpine is a city in and the
county seat of Brewster County, Texas. The town has an elevation of
4,475 feet , and the surrounding mountain peaks are over 1 mile above
sea level. It is in the crossroads to Big
Bend National Park (the two RV Gypsies were at Big Bend in 2012).
(If you go there now, please return here) |
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The two RV
Gypsies walked around Alpine to photograph murals and other art. |
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Below: Alpine
lumber started here in 1904. This facility was built in 1928 and remodeled
in the 1960s.
The Cattle Drive Mural shown below was complete in 2015 and reflects
the region's ranching heritage on the current KishMish Plaza. The calendar
image came from an actual calendar Alpine Lumberyard used to produce
when it was there in the 1950s. |
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Below: The mural Poco A Poquito
used a traditional Mexican calendar top on the bottom of a mural with
a man serenading a woman. Muralist Style Read redesigned it to include
Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church in the background. The church stands
directly south of the mural. Blackman enlisted the help of Read and
local volunteers to paint what would be the first of the six murals. |
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Below: “Big Brewster”
welcomes visitors with an introduction to Brewster County. Images of
defining faces and places such as the CF Ranch (a nod to the ranching
heritage), plus Big Bend National Park that sits south of the county
along the Mexico border, plus and a steamroller train to signify the
first laid tracks in 1882.
In the mural, TV actor Dan Blocker smiles as he dons a white cowboy
hat. He is most known for his role as Hoss Cartwright on the
TV series, Bonanza. Dan Blocker graduated from Sul Ross State
Teacher’s College in 1950 where he also played football.
Also, a notable local sports figure, Herbert Kokernot, stands with
a member of the Alpine Cowboys baseball team he founded in 1947. Kokernot,
a ranch owner, also built the Kokernot Field on E. Hendryx Dr and Fighting
Buck Ave.
Also on the mural, a Sul Ross State University banner hangs above
a picturesque postcard that reads “Greetings from Alpine, Texas.”
There is a lot to look at in this mural. |
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Below: Another mural in the
area. |
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Below: A close-up-of the above
mural. |
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Below: This mural pays tribute
to Texas musicians and specifically many of the Lone Star State's country
heroes. How many of these artists can you name and find in the mural
below?
Bob Wills • George Strait • Selena • Waylon Jennings • Willie Nelson
• ZZ Top • The Flatlanders • Buddy Holly • Janis Joplin • Buck Owens
• Jerry Jeff Walker • Omar and the Howlers • Robert Earl Keen • Roy
Orbison • Stevie Ray Vaughn • Townes Van Zandt • Kris Kristofferson
• Charley Pride • George Jones • Ernest Tubb • Blind Lemon Jefferson
• Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown • Cody Johnson • Gary P. Nunn • DJ Screw
• Flaco Jimenez • Freddy Fender • Guy Clark • Kevin Fowler • Lightnin’
Hopkins • Lydia Mendoza • Lyle Lovett • Miranda Lambert • Pantera •
Ray Wylie Hubbard • Ray Price • Randy Rogers • Roky Erickson • Sly Stone
• Tanya Tucker • Van Cliburn |
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Below: The Alpine
Studio was built in 1907 by pioneer photographer John Thain as his studio.
It was remodeled to Mission style in 1928. |
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Below: The Historic Bottle
House and the mural on the side of The Bottle House.
It is located in downtown Alpine, within walking distance of restaurants,
shopping, libraries, parks. The spacious 1,200 square feet, 3 bedroom/one
bath home is a BNB that can be all yours - with two private front entrances
and a back door leading out to the completely enclosed back yard with
an outdoor dining table and six deck chairs for stargazing. The Bottle
House is pet and child friendly, tastefully decorated and filled with
art and plants. Historic Murphy Street is artsy and funky and folks
are super friendly. Parking on the street by the front door is easy
and super safe - as is all of Alpine. |
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Below: The Hotel
Ritchey is one of the oldest commercial buildings still standing in
Alpine. The adobe portion was built in the 1880s as a hotel. The frame
addition was completed in 1908. Its primary use from 1886-1946 was as
a hotel for ranchers and cowboys who drove the cattle herds to the railroad.
It had a saloon and six rooms downstairs with nine rooms and a bathroom
upstairs. From 1946 to 1978, it served as a boarding facility and rental
property. Currently the site serves the community as the weekly farmer's
market. |
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Below: Cruising
Big Bend |
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