| Doyle
Phillips was born 22 March 1939 in Big Spring, Texas -- and it never left him,
wherever he roamed. So it was with many people who grew up in the 1950s in Big
Spring; it’s not exactly a pride in the place that lingers in them, but rather
more a pride of place. There was much to laud in those days.
Originally,
the city came into being because of the "big spring of the Colorado River" situated
at the juncture of three great geophysical features. Prehistoric creatures are
abundant in the fossil record of the region. Paleolithic nomads hunted gigantic
game thereabout. Amerinds passed through repeatedly harvesting flora and fauna
around (now-dry) lakes and springs. The historic array of Spaniards, Mexicans,
Texas Rangers, cavalry, outlaws, buffalo hunters and cowboys knew the big spring
as the finest of resorts. How could such a rich past not capture and hold the
interest of people who took root here?
And so whatever skills Phillips
acquired before leaving Big Spring and those augmented by his sojourn in Mexico,
Colorado, California, Europe and New Mexico have now been directed toward the
documentation of the history of Howard County. He has produced numerous books,
videos, posters, poems and photos -- all related to the region -- since his return
in 1993.
He works as a free-lance graphic designer, salesman and when
the spirit moves he spends a little time at The History Store, his little tiendita
in one of Big Spring’s oldest buildings. |
