Big Bend National Park and Vicinity

Images of America: Texas

by Thomas C. Alex

The Rio Grande makes a large bend into Mexico and forms the "boot heel" of Texas that is the Big Bend. Big Bend National Park nestles inside this meander, and its history is as much a part of Mexico as it is of Texas. The remote border location is historically replete with rich cultural diversity, including nomadic bands of Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Mexican and Anglo farmers, ranchers, miners, military men, and entrepreneurs. In the 1930s, a handful of people saw the Big Bend's majestic ruggedness as a place where all Americans could touch the Creator in nature and appreciate the alien qualities that both test and console the human spirit. This remote frontier still draws the souls of those seeking wide-open vistas and crystal-clear night skies.

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jaron Brandt · Rating 3 out of 5]

I expected more from this. Probably my fault. Cool pictures though.

[Kerry Pickens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Bend is a national park in southwest Texas that covers 1252 square miles. When they say big, it’s really big. The park is adjacent to the Rio Grande River in an arid, desert region and has many visitors each year. This book covers the settlement of the area prior to the National Park Service taking it over. The area was used for mining cinnabar and zinc, and then the Conservation Corp was brought in to help build the park system in the 1930s. It is an area well worth visiting for its quiet beauty, and if you are a bird watcher it’s one of the top favorites sites. Do be care though because there are large predators in the park including cougars and bears.

[TyAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great collection of photos and stories.

[Somer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Bend National Park is one of my favorite places. I read this after our vacation this summer, and it was fascinating to read about the park's history.