north of Quitaque on F.M. 1065. 806/455-1492.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/caprock-canyons. Caprock Canyons Trailway—A converted section
of old railway goes through Clarity Tunnel and takes hikers, bikers and equestrians overland for 64 miles through rolling plains.
RANGER POP. 2,547
ALT. 1,429 MAP K-15 RANGER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 254/647-3023.
This city began as a Texas Ranger Camp. In 1917, the community exploded with activity when the McClesky No. 1 hit oil. It’s been called one of the greatest booms in the history of the petroleum industry, and even small farmers found themselves rich. But the boom was short lived. Ranger is now a quiet community, home to Ranger College and the annual Eastland County PRCA Rodeo. There is an RV park for visitors.
MCCLESKY NO. 1—The site of the “oil boom that won the war” is marked by a granite monument at the Texas and Pacific Railroad depot downtown.
ROARING RANGER MUSEUM—Housed in the historic Texas and Pacific Railroad depot, this museum features photos and artifacts of the city’s oil field boom days. The museum also features an exhibit on the historic Bankhead Highway. 121 S. Commerce. 254/647-3091.
ROBERT LEE POP. 1,074
ALT. 1,922 MAP L-12
The old Coke County Jail is listed in the National Regis- ter of Historic Places. At 601 Chadbourne. For tours, call 325/453-2169. Recreational activities include the nine-hole Mountain Creek Golf Course, county parks and seasonal hunting. Five birding sites in the area are listed on the Panhandle Plains Wildlife Trail map.
LAKE—E.V. Spence Reservoir—A lake on the Colorado River. Call ahead about water levels. Two miles west of town. 432/267-6341.
SAN ANGELO POP. 98,040
ALT. 1,847 MAP M-12/VV-14
SAN ANGELO VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER: Next to the Concho River. A bridge links the center to Kids Kingdom, a children’s playground. 418 W. Avenue B. 325/655-4136 or 800/375-1206.
www.visitsanangelo.org.
This community grew around the site of Fort Concho, at the junction of the north and middle branches of Concho River. It was an early ranching center, and remains the nation’s largest primary wool and mohair market and a major livestock auction center. A variety of industries, Goodfellow Air Force Base and Angelo State University lend diversity. The city is home to a symphony orchestra, ballet and the Cactus Jazz Series. The Cactus Jazz and Blues Festival is held at the River Stage, the state’s oldest civic theater. The old Cactus Hotel is among the first Hilton Hotels.
It houses a children’s museum and the Crystal Ballroom. The International Water Lily Collection is in Civic League Park (
www.internationalwaterlilycollection. com). The Old Chicken Farm Art Center. (www.
chickenfarmartcenter.com) houses artist studios. The River Walk features gardens, water displays, playground, walking trail and a nine-hole golf course. Birding around the Concho Valley features more
than 332 species. Concho River Pearls are formed in freshwater mussels. (An annual permit is required from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.)
ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY PLANETARIUM—The nation’s fourth largest university planetarium features a 3-D view of the universe. Admission charge. 2333 Vanderventer in Nursing-Physical Science Building. 325/942-2136 or 325/942-2188.
EL PASEO DE SANTA ANGELA—This heritage trail and landscaped walkway encompasses the “Pearl of the
204
The International Water Lily Collection in San Angelo is located in Civic League Park.
Conchos” mermaid statue, the river, Old Town, Fort Concho, the railroad area and the Celebration Bridge. Trail extends between Fort Concho and Concho Avenue.
FORT CONCHO—One of the best preserved frontier military posts west of the Mississippi, this National Historic Landmark consists of 23 original and restored buildings. Established in 1867 as a post on the frontier line, it replaced Fort Chadbourne (see BRONTE). Exhibits cover military history, the heritage of San Angelo and West Texas. Admission charge. 630 S. Oakes St. Between Avenues C and D. 325/481-2646.
www.fortconcho.com.
E.H. Danner Museum of Telephony—Features
models of telephones from Alexander Graham Bell’s “Gallows Frame Phone” (only five ever built) through wooden phones and push-button phones of the 1880s to present models. In Officers’ Quarters No. 4. Robert Wood Johnson Museum of Frontier Medicine—Features instruments, medicines, furniture and other items of a typical 19th-century frontier hospital. Also on display are items related to San Angelo’s medical history. In the North Ward of the Post Hospital.
HISTORIC MURALS—Historic murals of San Angelo are visible throughout the downtown area. The subjects include a blacksmith, transportation, ranching, Elmer Kelton, a memorial mural, military history mural and an Indian mural.
www.historicmuralsofsanangelo.org.
HISTORIC ORIENT-SANTA FE DEPOT—This facility houses the Railway Museum of San Angelo, and it features an operating diorama depicting the city in 1928 along with static displays of rail cars. Call ahead for special tours. 703 S. Chadbourne St. 325/944-1815.
LAKES—Lake Nasworthy—This lake, a companion to the larger Twin Buttes Reservoir, has parks and marinas that offer camping, picnicking, fishing, swimming and boating. About six miles southwest of town off U.S. 277. 325/277-8766.
Twin Buttes Reservoir—This impoundment on
the Middle and South Concho Rivers offers fishing and lakeside parks. Call ahead about water levels. Adjacent to Lake Nasworthy. About eight miles southwest of town off U.S. 277. 325/277-8766.
MISS HATTIE’S MUSEUM—A restored “ladies of the evening” saloon and “parlor house"—a surreptitious San Angelo landmark for decades—includes original furnishings and fashions. Group tours by appointment. Admission charge. 18 E. Concho. 325/653-0112.
www.visitsanangelo.org.
SAN ANGELO MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS AND EDUCATION CENTER—Changing art exhibits from many eras are featured in this facility on the Concho River. It’s built of native Texas limestone that is reminiscent of historic Fort Concho, and the copper rooftop resembles a covered wagon. Admission charge. One Love Street. Adjacent to the El Paseo de Santa Angela. 325/658- 4084 or 325/653-3333.
www.samfa.org.
SAN ANGELO NATURE CENTER—This natural science and history museum interprets the Edwards Plateau region. See exhibits of live reptiles and amphibians, mounted birds and other wildlife. Admission charge. 7409 Knickerbocker. In Mary Lee Park at Lake Nasworthy. 325/942-0121.
SAN ANGELO STATE PARK—This park offers a diverse mix of vegetation including riparian bottomland areas. O.C. Fisher Reservoir provides access to fishing. Limited-service cabins, group pavilions and equestrian campsites are available. Includes 50 miles of trails. Admission charge. Two entrances: from U.S. 87, take F.M. 2288 to the north entrance; and from U.S. 67, take F.M. 2288 to the south entrance. 325/949-4757.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/san-angelo.
SHERWOOD COURTHOUSE—The former Irion County courthouse is a historic courthouse. In Sherwood, 28 miles southwest of San Angelo, east of U.S. 67.
SEMINOLE POP. 7,110
ALT. 3,312 MAP J-8
SEMINOLE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 119 SE Avenue B. 432/758-2352.
www.seminoletxchamber.org
The town was named for nearby Native American watering places. The Quanah Parker birthplace marker is 20 miles east at Cedar Lake—a large salt lake also known as Laguna Sabinas.
GAINES COUNTY MUSEUM—Museum showcases pioneer artifacts, branding irons and blacksmithing equipment, and the history of the oil field discovery. 700 Hobbs Highway (U.S. 180). 432/758-4016.
SEYMOUR POP. 2,610
ALT. 1,250 MAP G-14
SEYMOUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 310 N Washington. 940/889-2921.
cityofseymour.org.
Seymour is home to vintage shops and a historical PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
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