Not Just A Name On The Map

(San Angelo Trip Part II)

Last month I shared my trip to San Angelo State Park with you. It had been the sole reason for our trip out there…well, I did tell my husband about the historic fort we could visit as a way to get him even more interested in the road trip. I ended up finding the town itself pretty neat and thought I would share more of our trip.

“a West Texas oasis” is the description of San Angelo in the Texas State Travel Guide, a wonderful free publication put out by Texas Highways Magazine (www.texashighways.com).

Where history meets geography meets art is how I would describe the town.

Here is a multiple choice quiz:

Which of these three things can be found in San Angelo?

  1. Statues of painted sheep
  2. International water lily collection
  3. Air Force Base

I you guessed “all 3”, you are correct!

According to Wikipedia a Spanish mission was founded here in 1632 to convert the native peoples (Wikipedia say “to serve the native people”). As the years went by the area was under the rule of Spain, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, and the U. S. The city itself began in 1867.

Today there are at least 99,853 people in the town and at least 121,516 if you include the area surrounding the town (2020 U.S. Census). Goodfellow Air Force Base is here, as is the historic Fort Concho (1867). There is a growing art and music community, Angelo State University, and several reservoirs based on the damming of the Concho river. The surrounding area includes farming, agriculture, an oil and gas industry, and the wonderful state park we visited. Here are some of the things we saw:

Historic Fort Concho

Buffalo Soldier Exhibit In Fort Concho Museum

Old Barracks In Fort Concho Museum

Ground Squirrel Near The Fort

Flowers On Fort Grounds

Pond At International Water Lily Collection

More Water Lilies

Mural Of Willie Nelson

One of Many Decorated Sheep Statues In Town.

This one is on the grounds of a mortuary. We shopped at a grocery (HEB) that had one in its parking lot.

The train museum was closed the day we were there. And we also didn’t visit the downtown Concho River Walk. Maybe some day I will go back and explore more.

Lastly, I want mention that San Angelo was one of many smaller cities that had it’s own nice turnout of folks on the recent No Kings Saturday protest.

For more info: discoversanangelo.com

Photos by B. McCreary

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bettymccreary7347

Born and raised in Central Texas. Spending time outside brings me joy and I love to share my observations. I also belong to two writing groups and enjoy researching my ancestors. I find people interesting, but Nature keeps me sane.

10 thoughts on “Not Just A Name On The Map”

  1. Another fun travelogue. I am fascinated by the water lily collection – never heard of such a thing before! They looked so lovely (and probably refreshing). Loved the painted sheep. And I also love visiting old forts. There is one north of Phoenix in Camp Verde that I’ve visited several times. The officer’s quarters building has a framed photo of an officer that is the spitting image of my second husband (corroborated by several visiting friends). Makes one wonder about reincarnation.

    Always love your posts. Hope to see you in person again someday!

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  2. Thank you Trish! I, too, did not expect an international water lily collection out in West Texas…I will have to investigate who all started it…

    I have a memory of visiting the old fort at Camp Verde many years back…don’t remember the portrait of your ex look a like…That is pretty funny and kind of creepy!

    I do hope our paths cross again in person some day!

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  4. Thank you for your feedback! It was interesting that a town in a fairly dry area would have this collection of water lilies. We have a small artificial pond in our back yard with goldfish and a few waterlilies…they bloom a lovely light peach color.

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  5. Most interesting, Betty. I especially liked the sheep.

    We are going to the Mariposa Folk Festival in Orillia, Ontario tomorrow and I remember one year there were guitar statues everywhere each with a unique design.

    It’s like when we write poems from the same prompt but they are all interpreted differently. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. I had missed this one Betty, and possibly the one before due to body stuff. These photos and your comments made me want to go to San Angelo. We’ll see! Thank you for the descriptions, and the vicarious tour! I will also look at the link you provided for more information about the town. I’m so glad you do this blog!

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