Big Bend: A Homesteader's Story

by J.O. Langford, Fred Gipson

To the wild and fabulous country where the Rio Grande makes its big bend, J. O. Langford came in 1909 with his wife and daughter in search of health and a home. High on a bluff overlooking the spot where Tornillo Creek pours its waters into the turbulent Rio Grande, the Langfords built their home, a rude structure of adobe blocks in a land reputed to be inhabited only by bandits and rattlesnakes. Big Bend is the story of the Langfords' life in the rugged and spectacularly beautiful country which they came to call their own. Langford's account is told with the help of Fred Gipson, author of Old Yeller and Hound Dog Man.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Memoir, Westerns, Travel

159 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1981

Reviews

[Jason Koivu · Rating 4 out of 5]

* Got this free through Audio Boom in exchange for an honest review. *

An interesting memoir from a man who homesteaded in one of the most inhospitable places in the U.S. for the sake of his health.

With hardly any money, a belly full of malaria, and a little girl and pregnant wife in tow, Langford moved his family to the Big Bend area of Texas, which lies right next to Mexico with the Rio Grande delineating the border, in order to claim the land where a curative spring lies. The waters did restore his health and made it possible for the family to make the attempt to live and make improvements upon the land for the three year period it would take to call it their own. Big Bend tells the tale.

The manuscript was doctored by Old Yeller author Fred Gipson and it reads very similarly to Gipson's work. Langford himself claims to have been no great scholar, so one would guess the book to be improved a good deal by this ghost writer.

The stories are fun and interesting. Aside from a couple of historical events that touched their lives, the Langfords mostly struggled against the land and its wild inhabitants. Death is around every corner. Lighthearted moments help to strike a good balance.

Peter Lerman did a great job on the narration. His voice fits well with this time period. It's very similar to that of Grover Gardener.

If you're looking for old fashioned, down-home tales of ol' Texas and hard livin', you've come to the right place!

[Terris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the wonderful (nonfiction) story of J.O. Langford's 1909 homesteader's story, as he and his wife and children settled in the Big Bend area of Texas along the Rio Grande. It is an amazing account of what they went through. And, most interesting to me is that Langford Hot Springs, now called Big Bend Hot Springs, still operates in Big Bend National Park, TX!!

Langford does a good job of telling his tale, however, he is helped in his writing by Fred Gipson, author of "Old Yeller"! I'm pretty sure that made a difference ;)

I highly recommend this one!

[Tanner Smithwick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this on Audible on our way to Big Bend. Really interesting human history on the BB region, it’s people, and challenges. Relatively short, but very interesting and got us excited for the trip!

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this book while driving and camping through the Big Bend National Park. The Langford's homestead is still standing (somewhat) in the park, and Langford's memoir was a great way to visualize the American history of this magnificent terrain. Langford describes his motivations and experience homesteading a medicinal hot spring with great humor and detail. His story is engaging and entertaining, as well as educational.

If you have any interest in the history of Texas, the Big Bend National Park, or the history of American/Mexican relations, this is an excellent book to whet your appetites.

[Sandra Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a riveting and enlightening tale of pioneering. And the narration on Audible was amazing. The history and struggles kept me on the edge of my seat ... this homesteader's story was told in such a way that I felt like I was right there with J. O. Langford ... a fearless pioneer and storyteller who clearly grabbed life with gusto. It didn't hurt that I read (listened) to this book on my long drive home from the Big Bend and Fort Davis.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of the audiobook version of this story for an honest review.

This was a really interesting listen. I wasn't sure at first how I was going to like it, if I was going to like it, in fact. But overall, it was different given the style it was written in. It wasn't so much as a straight-forward story, where the listener/reader gets to experience what the characters are experiencing, it's more like the main character tells the story and has picked out important, memorable, or entertaining events/moments that happened in his life.

I wasn't a fan of the narrator. While he had a good voice for reading a historical story, he read this as though he were simply reading from a book. Like I could imagine him standing in front of a classroom reading this. Unfortunately, he didn't change his voice for the different characters; when he did Lovies voice at one part, I was totally thrown off because he had his regular/adult-sounding voice and she was supposed to be a little kid. I had to stop and remember that she was a kid and not older. (That's why I'm rating this a 4 star.)

[Lynn Bergmeyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short written by Oscar Langford who created one of the first hot spring bathhouse. He and his pregnant wife left central Texas to homestead on a three lot property at the junction of Tornillo Creek and the Rio Grand River. The property they purchased but required proving with three years occupancy was chosen for the hot springs on it in hopes that it would heal Oscar. At 31, Oscar was afflicted by chronic recurring disease resulting from malaria acquired when he lived in Mississippi. The book hits on the trials and tribulations of homesteading, the beauty and wildness of the area, Mexican customs, and what happens where there is unrest at the border and when ranchers overgraze a once beautiful region. Written with the encouragement and help of Fred Gipson (Old Yeller).

[Julie Biles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Preparing for a hiking trip to Big Bend, my friends and I read this beautiful memoir. Langford’s co-authorship with Fred Gipson who wrote the Old Yeller trilogy, convinced me this would be a worthy read that would help create for us a foundational grasp of the historical foundations of this wild and fabulous country where the Rio Grade makes its u-turn bend.
This narrative depicts a life of hardship in this sparsely inhabited rugged place. The Langford’s built their home and with remarkable resourcefulness, created a livelihood.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read!

[Vanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just visited the Big Bend area for the fifth time, I wanted to learn more about the history. I just could not put this book down. It was so completely fascinating. I loved all the history and the stories about how certain places got their names. His recounting of local folklore and descriptions of the nature scenery and animals were wonderful. I can’t wait to go back now and investigate some of the areas that he described. If you’re interested in learning more about this area I highly recommend this book. I just wish it was longer.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Bend - a Homesteader's Story
: J O Langford and Fred

A very good historical story of homesteading around 1909 in Big Bend area. The listener is transported back to a time when it took hard work and determination just to survive. Very easy to listen to and enjoy.



The narration was well done. The characters were well portrayed by Peter Lerman.



I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm headed to Big Bend in the fall for the second time so doing some reading about the area. This was a short, quick read, and I enjoyed learning about what it was like to homestead in this desolate beautiful part of the world. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been, and the book didn't go into elaborate detail about that but did give a sense of the difficulties.

I think the background will help me appreciate my return visit even more.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice little read about a man with poor health who homestead in the Big Bend in 1909. His narrative description of the area is great. I can visualize the canyons and springs, flora and fauna. He also describes how he made a living for a number of years until the Mexican Bandidos made it too dangerous to stay. I enjoyed this book.

[Joseph Mirabelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read several new books during the tail end of the summer and beginning of my fall - this simple, earnest tale of starting a life in some of America's most rugged country was my favorite among the last batch I'm posting. Strongly recommend to my friends who hike and explore, especially if they've been around to Big Bend.

[Max Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting first person history of settlement in the Big Bend of Texas (late 19th, early 20th century). Heard this on audiobook as I was traveling to and camping in the National Park. I highly recommend this for anyone doing the same.

[Marieta Grissom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw this book recommended on FaceBook as a good introduction to the Big Bend area; my husband and I are headed there later this year. Loved reading about the area and the Langford family's initial experiences. Easy to read, page-turner!

[Lydia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great descriptions of the land and the time he was living in. Reminded me of Little House on the Prairie in subject matter and writing style. Sounds like a kind and helpful man.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice stories of daily life. Light and engaging. Covered 1909 - 1913'ish and set in Tornillo Creek area at the Hot Springs in Big Bend National Park.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audible while riding with my husband on his motorcycle to Big Bend. It was an excellent choice. The narration was good and the author was funny, humble and relatable.

[David Grissom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story of the early years of the Big Bend area before WWI how JO Langford, his wife and daughter move to the big bend area for his health and a new home.

[Maddie Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book for your drive into Big Bend!

[TyAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened on Audible while traveling through the region. Very interesting. It’s fascinating to be able to retrace their footsteps and visit the hot springs.

[Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book a lot. I got an introduction to the Langford's on my first trip to Big Bend when I attended a ranger program where he read the last part of the book.

J.O. Langford was one of the last of the homesteaders in the United States. His claim was a hot spring on the Rio Grande river in what is now Big Bend National Park. It chronicles the trials and tribulations of moving to the wilderness to start anew on the claim and how the Langford's persevered, raised a family, and made a home in the Big Bend.

The book was co-authored by Fred Gipson, which adds a lot of poetic elements to the story telling. I'm not sure that a man like Langford could pull off a book like that himself. There are a number of excellent passages in the book that made it hard to put down. I was able to really connect with the story and the emotion conveyed in it.

The one thing I like about the book or I suppose more specifically, the story, is how the family completely connects with the land, the area, the people, and become one with it. This is in stark contrast to the "poor me" attitude Etta Koch gives off in "Lizards on the Mantle." It's a great book and gives an interesting view of the history of the Big Bend and is one of the more positive and exciting stories.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy read, but definitely still a great one! It takes you on an adventure with Langford as he starts life in early-day Big Bend. It's especially neat to read if you've ever been, because then you know exactly where he's talking about.

[Rodger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Facinating story about homesteading in the desert. It is written at about a 5th grade reading level so it is an easy read. There is a better story here than the author is able to write.

[Rebecca Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a thin, easy book, but a fascinating story to read in your sleeping bag by flashlight after seeing Langford’s territory with your own eyes.

[Mckinley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early days in the area for white home-makers. Time-wise this predates Lizards on the Mantel, Burros at the Door: A Big Bend Memoir by Etta Koch. Although they overlap slightly. Quick, interesting.

[Ann Bornholdt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting to read about homesteading in Big Bend and how lush it was until WWI and overgrazing just made it into a desert. Not all that well written, but interesting history.