Alpine, Texas facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alpine, Texas
City
Alpine from atop Hancock Hill to the southwest.
Nickname(s):  The Heart of Big Bend
Country	United States
State	Texas
County	Brewster
Area
• Total	4.80 sq mi (12.44 km2)
• Land	4.80 sq mi (12.43 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation	4,462 ft (1,360 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	6,035
• Density	1,245.99/sq mi (481.09/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	79830-79832
Area code(s)	432
FIPS code	48-02104
GNIS feature ID	2409685

Alpine (pronounced AL-pyne) is a city in Texas, United States. It is the main town in Brewster County. In 2020, about 6,035 people lived here.

Alpine is high up, at 4,462 feet above sea level. The mountains around it are even taller. This city is a hub for the large Big Bend area. It has a university, a hospital, a library, and many shops.

History of Alpine

Brewster County Courthouse, built in 1888.

The area where Alpine now stands was once a campsite for cattle ranchers. This was between 1878 and 1882. In the spring of 1882, railroad workers and their families set up a town of tents. They called it Osborne, after a section of the railroad.

The railroad needed water from springs owned by brothers Daniel and Thomas Murphy. So, they agreed to change the town's name to Murphyville. In November 1883, the Murphys officially registered the town plan.

On February 3, 1888, the town's name was changed to Alpine. Residents asked for this change. At that time, Alpine had about a dozen houses, three saloons, a hotel, a stable, a butcher shop, and a drugstore. The drugstore also served as the post office.

Alpine grew slowly at first. A big boost came when Sul Ross State Normal College opened in 1920. This college is now Sul Ross State University. The creation of Big Bend National Park in the 1930s and 1940s also helped the town grow.

In 1904, only 396 people lived in Alpine. By 1927, the population reached 3,000. In 1950, it was 5,256. The population reached its highest point around 6,200 by 1976. In 2020, it was 6,035.

The Holland Hotel was built during a time when mercury was mined nearby. It was designed by Henry Trost, a famous architect. Today, this hotel helps make downtown Alpine a lively place. Many family-owned shops and restaurants are in old buildings from the early 1900s.

Geography and Climate

Alpine is located on a high flat area in the Chihuahua Desert. The Davis Mountains are to the north, and the Chisos Mountains are to the south. You can see old volcanic rocks around the area. Over time, mountains pushed up and then wore away, showing different layers of rock. The high elevation helps keep the desert air cool in the evenings.

Alpine is on U.S. Route 90. It is about 26 miles east of Marfa and 31 miles west of Marathon. The city covers about 4.8 square miles of land.

Alpine's Weather

Alpine has a semiarid climate. This means it is generally dry but not a true desert.

People of Alpine

In 2020, Alpine had 6,035 residents. There were 2,886 households. About 48.67% of the people were Hispanic or Latino. About 44.08% were White (not Hispanic).

Education in Alpine

Alpine offers great schools for students of all ages.

Colleges and Universities

Sul Ross State University is a key part of Alpine. It started in 1920 as a college for teachers. The university is named after Lawrence Sullivan Ross. He was a general and later a governor of Texas.

The main campus is about 600 acres. It sits on the lower slopes of Hancock Hill. Most buildings are made of red brick with white trim. From the hillside, you can see great views of the town and mountains. Students in 1981 placed a desk on Hancock Hill. Today, visitors can hike up to sign a special register there.

About 2,000 students attend Sul Ross. Many live in Lobo Village, which has new apartment-style dorms. The university offers many bachelor's and master's degrees. These include biology, business, computer science, education, and nursing.

U.S. News & World Report ranked Sul Ross as one of the most affordable public universities. It was also named one of "The Nation's 30 Most Attractive Yet Affordable Campuses." This was due to its low cost and beautiful campus.

Sul Ross has many sports teams, called the Lobos. They play in the American Southwest Conference. Teams include basketball, cross country, track, tennis, baseball, softball, football, and soccer.

Sul Ross was also where the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association began in 1949. The Sul Ross Rodeo Club competes in many rodeos each year. The rodeo hosted in Alpine is a big event for the school and the community.

Brewster County is also part of the Odessa College District. This means students can attend community college there.

K-12 Schools

The Alpine Independent School District serves over 1,000 students. They attend Alpine Elementary, Alpine Middle, and Alpine High School. These schools teach students from Pre-K through 12th grade.

In 2013–2014, Alpine High School met state standards. It also earned special awards in math and social studies. Class sizes at Alpine High are smaller than the state average. Alpine Middle School also met standards and earned awards in math and social studies.

The school colors are purple and old gold. The high school teams are called the Alpine Fightin' Bucks and Lady Bucks. They play football, volleyball, basketball, baseball, and more. Alpine also hosts the "Big Bend Mountain Ramble." This is a cross-country race, the highest in Texas.

Alpine also has two private schools:

• Alpine Montessori School: For grades Pre-K through sixth.
• Alpine Christian School: For grades Pre-K through 12.

Museums and Libraries

Alpine has interesting places to learn and explore.

Museum of the Big Bend

The Museum of the Big Bend is on the Sul Ross campus. It has exhibits about Native American history, local culture, and geology. You can learn about the area's tribes, soldiers, mining, and the railroad. The museum also covers the history of Big Bend National Park. It uses old photos and videos. The building was built in 1937 using local stone.

Alpine Public Library

The Alpine Public Library started in 1947 with volunteers. It is still an independent library. It gets support from Brewster County and the City of Alpine. The library has staff and many volunteers. They offer special programs for all ages. These include a science club and computer classes.

The library opened a new building in 2012. It offers free Wi-Fi and computers. You can also find books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs. There is also a used bookstore called Re-Reads.

Local Media

Alpine has its own local news sources.

• KVLF-AM: This is the only radio station in Brewster County.
• The Alpine Avalanche: This is the local daily newspaper. It covers local news and ads.
• Skyline: Sul Ross students publish this newspaper.
• The Lajitas Sun: This is a publication about resort sales.

Healthcare

Big Bend Regional Medical Center is a hospital in Alpine. It has 25 beds. It provides care for patients who stay overnight and those who visit for appointments.

Sports and Recreation

Alpine offers various sports activities for residents and visitors.

• Alpine Cowboys: This is an independent baseball team. They play their home games at Kokernot Field.
• Alpine Fightin Bucks: This is the high school football team. They are a Class 3A Division I team.

Historic Sites

Alpine has buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Brewster County Courthouse and Jail

The Brewster County Courthouse and Jail were built in 1887–1888. A local builder named Tom Lovett designed and built them. Visitors can explore the courthouse. Historic photos are on display in the main hall.

The red brick courthouse shows the American Second Empire Style. It has many arched windows. The building looks taller than it is because of how the windows are placed. The roof has steep towers. Inside, you can see original pressed-tin ceilings and wood. A wooden staircase leads to the courtroom.

The jail next to the courthouse has a special brick wall that looks like a fortress.

Attractions and Things to Do

Alpine is a great place to start exploring the Big Bend region.

Nearby Attractions

• Big Bend National Park: A huge park with mountains, deserts, and the Rio Grande.
• Big Bend Ranch State Park: Another large park with rugged landscapes.
• Fort Davis National Historic Site: An old military fort.
• Davis Mountains State Park: A park with hiking trails and the Indian Lodge.
• Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens: Learn about desert plants and animals.
• McDonald Observatory: An astronomy observatory on Mt. Locke.

Other nearby towns also have attractions:

• Marathon: Home to the Gage Hotel.
• Fort Davis: Has the historic Limpia Hotel.
• Marfa: Known for the Chinati Foundation Museum of Minimalist Art.
• Terlingua: A historic ghost town.
• Lajitas: A golf resort.
• River Road (FM 170): A scenic 120-mile drive along the Rio Grande Valley.

Attractions in Alpine

• Museum of the Big Bend: Located at Sul Ross State University. It has exhibits, a kids' corner, and a gift shop.
• Turner Range and Animal Science Center: Hosts rodeos and horse shows at the S.A.L.E. Arena.
• Blue Creek Trail: A hiking path along dry stream beds. You can see colorful rocks here.
• Arlington Southwest Cemetery: A memorial for Texas soldiers. It is located 4 miles east of Alpine.

Annual Events

Alpine hosts many fun events throughout the year.

• Texas Cowboy Poetry Gathering: Usually in late February. It celebrates cowboy poetry, songs, and music.
• Trappings of Texas: In April. An exhibit and sale of Western art and gear at the Museum of the Big Bend.
• Big Bend Gem and Mineral Show: In April at the Civic Center.
• Cinco de Mayo: Includes a parade, food, music, dancing, and a car show at Kokernot Field.
• Alpine Cowboys professional baseball games: Play at historic Kokernot Field.
• Theater of the Big Bend: This group performs plays and musicals at the Kokernot Lodge outdoor theater.
• Fourth of July/Fiestas Barrios: On July 4th, with a parade, food, music, and fireworks.
• Viva Big Bend music festival: In July, over 50 bands play in different towns.
• Drive Big Bend: Features driving tours, music, parties, and a car show for classic cars.
• Big Bend Ranch Rodeo: In August, showing the skills of working cowboys.
• National Intercollegiate Rodeo: A major rodeo event.
• Big Bend Octane Fest: In early October, with a car show and driving tours.
• No Country For Old Men: In October, a long-distance bike race.
• ARTWALK: The weekend before Thanksgiving. Art is displayed in galleries and on the streets.
• Parade of Lights: In December.

Public Art

Alpine has a special mural in its former post office. It is at 109 West E St. This mural was painted in 1940 by Jose Moya del Pino. It was part of a government program during the Great Depression.

The mural shows three people reading on a rocky overlook. They are reading a book, a magazine, and a newspaper. This shows how the post office brought information to small towns. In the background, you can see the Twin Sisters Mountain and the red-brick buildings of Sul Ross State University.

Transportation

Alpine is connected by roads, rail, and air.

Highways

• U.S. Route 90 and U.S. Route 67 run through Alpine. They split into different streets for eastbound and westbound traffic.
• Texas State Highway 118 goes north and south through Alpine. It leads to Fort Davis to the north. To the south, it goes to the entrance of Big Bend National Park.
• Texas State Highway 223 is a loop road within Alpine.

Rail

Amtrak's Sunset Limited train stops in Alpine three times a week. This train runs on tracks that were once part of the Southern Pacific Railroad. Alpine is also a stop where Union Pacific freight train crews change. This means there is always activity on the tracks.

Bus

All Aboard America! offers bus service from the KCS Quick Stop.

Airports

The closest airport with commercial flights is Midland International Air and Space Port (MAF). It is about 156 miles northeast of Alpine.

Alpine-Casparis Municipal Airport (ALE) is a local airport. It is owned by the city and is 2 miles northwest of town. It is used for smaller, private planes.

Other Transportation

Alpine has become a popular stop for bicyclists. It is located on the Adventure Cycling Association's Southern Tier Bicycle Route. This route crosses the United States.

Notable People

Many interesting people have connections to Alpine:

• John Coleman: He founded The Weather Channel.
• Pete Gallego: A former Texas State Senator and U.S. Representative.
• Joaquin Jackson: A former Texas Ranger and actor.
• Amanda Marcotte: A feminist blogger and journalist.

Images for kids

• 

  Alpine from atop Hancock Hill to the southwest.

• 

  Brewster County Courthouse, built in 1888 by local contractor Tom Lovell

See also

In Spanish: Alpine (Texas) para niños