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BIG
SPRING, TEXAS"The
Main Spring of West Texas"
Howard County Seat, Panhandle*/
West Texas
US I-20 (US 80) Hwy 87
Hwy 350 FM 700
Hwy 176
39 miles NE of Midland,
59 miles NE of Odessa,
via I-20
86 miles NW of San
Angelo via 87
Population: 25,233 (2000)
County population: 33,000
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Municipal Auditorium
TE Photo |
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The Texas & Pacific Depot, circa 1896
Courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica
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History
in a Pecan Shell
Big
Spring in Brief
by Doyle Phillips
Big Spring has long been known as the crossroads of West
Texas. The ancient spring for which
the town was named attracted prehistoric people, Amerinds, Spaniards, Mexicans
and Anglos. The fascinating Comanche 'War Trail' to Mexico branched at the spring...
more |
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A Big Spring Service Station c.1948
Photo courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica |
Big Spring Today
Skipping to the present, the town is now about 23,000 with a large part of the
economy based on public-sector institutions, such as prisons, a regional VA Hospital
and a state mental hospital. Although the decline in oil revenues has dramatically
affected the entire region, employment rate is high and cost-of-living relatively
low. New business ventures are encouraged by city government policies.
©
Doyle Phillips
Big
Spring Hotels > Book Your Hotel Here & Save |
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Big Spring Cemetery Funeral Chapel
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson, 2005 |
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Big Spring Public School
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/
%7Etxpstcrd/ |
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Post office in Big Spring. "An Air Mail Hub of West Texas"
Postcard courtesy www.rootsweb.com/
%7Etxpstcrd/ |
Big
Spring Landmarks / Attractions The
Spring - The
town's namesakeHoward
County Courthouses
Settles
Hotel Big
Spring State Park: On the southern edge of the city, this 340 acre park offers
a scenic view of the city.
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/bigsprin/bigsprin.htm
Hanger 25
Air Museum: www.hanger25.com A museum of the Big Spring Army Air Corps Bombardier
School (its purpose during WWII)
and Webb AFB (1955-1977). Heritage
Museum: 510 Scurry Street. Local HistoryCity
Park: 400 acres downtown, including the Comanche Trail Amphitheater and the
spring that is the town's namesake.
Potton House
(circa 1901): Second Street and Gregg - one of West
Texas' best examples of Victorian architecture. Red sandstone construction
with vintage furnishings.
Big
Spring Hotels > Book Your Hotel Here & Save
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Petroleum Building
Photo courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica |
| | The
Crawford Hotel
Courtesy Doyle Phillips / FotoGrafica |
| | Razed
hotel.
Photo by John Troesser |
| | Ritz
Theater Photo courtesy Don Lewis | |
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Big
Spring Chamber of Commerce:
215 W. 3rd Street 915-263-7641
Website: www.bigspringtx.com
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Big
Spring Texas Forum
Texas Escapes wishes to thank Doyle Phillips for the loan of photos from his collection
and for writing the Big Spring history. Mr. Phillips is the author of numerous
books on West Texas and Big Spring in particular. About Doyle
Phillips and more vintage photos
February 2001
*Texas Department
of Transportation includes Howard County in the Panhandle Plains |
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