TPTR Mission The Texas Pecos Trail Region develops and promotes heritage preservation and tourism

throughout the richly diverse West Texas area.

Inside this Issue:

Heritage Tourism Grants 1 Invite to TPTR Partners Event — 2 Midland TX, Petroleum Museum Travel Itinerary: 2 Water Recreation Texas Treasure Business Award 3 Real Places Conference Recap 3 Preservation Spotlight: 3 Fort Lancaster State Historic Site Jul Calendar of Events 4 Contact Information 4

TPTR Board of Directors Bill Hodges (Chair) Rancher, Eldorado

Ellen Crossland (Vice Chair) Mendoza Trail Museum, McCamey

Peggy Kelton (Secretary) Upton Cnty Historical Commission, McCamey

Betty Damron (Treasurer) Crane County Historical Commission, Crane

Russell Nowell Fort Clark Historical Society, Brackettville

Sherry Phillips Former Mayor of McCamey

Bill Simon Smart Choice Auto Group, Junction

Jefferson Spilman Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, Sheffield

Ruben Vargas Trendy T’s, Midland

Heritage Tourism Grants

Heritage tourism grants are available for partners and communities to assist with special projects, events, and programs that promote heritage tourism within the Pecos Trail Region. These grants are intended to promote public awareness of the heritage of our region, encourage community involvement, and enhance the visitor experience. Annual grant amount per project or event is up to $1,000, with applicant providing at least a 50% matching share. Although there is no stated minimum, the project must have a substantial cost and will be decided on a case-by-case basis. Types of eligible projects include printed materials (e.g. travel guide), exhibit development or rental, website design and development, interpretive or way-finding signage, educational programs for the general public, and workshops to develop heritage tourism. Types of projects not considered include building renovations, operating and administration expenses, strictly advertising, projects advocating politics or religion, and projects for groups without official status or tax ID number. Eligible organizations must be 501(c)(3), 501(c)(6), or government entity. Reporting is required before and after project or event. For more information or a grant application, contact (325) 387-3900 or info@texaspecostrail.com. You may also download the application and fact sheet at www.texaspecostrail.com under the Partners tab.

Recent Grant Projects: Outdoor lighting for historical mural at Museum of the Desert Southwest; Support for Goodnight Loving Celebration event.

Texas Pecos Trail Region Newsletter July 2016

Pecos Trail Newsletter Jul 2016 Page 2

Travel Itinerary: Water Recreation Hit these cool places in the Pecos Trail Region during the hot summer months!

To learn more of these and other heritage tourism attractions in the Pecos Trail Region visit http://texaspecostrail.com.

Fort Clark Springs Pool Brackettville

One of the largest spring-fed pools in Texas is located at a historic fort founded in 1852 and with dozens of historic buildings preserved. Pool available for hotel guests and special events.

Amistad National Recreation Area Del Rio

Large reservoir offers swimming, fishing, boating, and skiing , as well as opportunities for taking guided tours to accessible Rock Art sites.

San Felipe Creek Del Rio

Located just off U.S. Hwy 90 near downtown, this urban oasis includes green space, walking and bike trails, and a few historical markers. Great for tubing!

South Llano River State Park Junction

Clear peaceful waters run through beautiful Hill Country scenery, where one can enjoy fishing, swimming, kayaking, tubing, bird-watching, and other activities.

Invite to Pecos Trail Partners Event — Jul 21, Midland The Texas Pecos Trail Region will hold our next bi-monthly Partners Event on July 21, starting 10 a.m., in Midland TX at the Permian Basin Petroleum Museum. The public is welcome to attend, but we especially encourage anyone involved in heritage tourism to join us. Guests will tour the brand new renovations and immersive exhibits at the Petroleum Museum, including an enhanced Permian Sea diorama, Formation and Discovery, Energy City, and an outdoor walking trail through vintage oil rigs and equipment. Cost of lunch is $10 per person and will be collected at the door. Please RSVP by Jul 15 to Scott Jordan at (325) 387-3900 or info@texaspecostrail.com. We look forward to seeing you there!

Pecos River Pandale

Take a refreshing dip, relax in a tube, or go snorkeling at this rare accessible spot on the Pecos River, amidst a remote and rugged landscape. Image by M. Zuniga.

Balmorhea State Park Balmorhea

The largest spring-fed pool in the world was built by the CCC during the 1930s and includes San Solomon Courts for overnight stays and natural conservation areas.

Pecos Trail Newsletter Jul 2016 Page 3

Preservation Spotlight

High mesas overlook Fort Lancaster, established in 1855 to protect settlers, mail carriers, and wagon trains along the San Antonio-El Paso Road. In 1857, the Army’s experimental Camel Corps stopped here en route to California. During the Civil War, U.S. troops abandoned the fort, and Confederate Texas troops took over for two years. After the war, the U.S. Army’s 9th Cavalry, comprised of Buffalo Soldiers, reoccupied the fort until the 1870s. The history of the fort lives on in remaining ruins and lively exhibits at the Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, a Texas Historical Commission property. Spanning 82 acres and surrounded by the Pecos River valley, the site offers a walking trail trough the ruins, where visitors imagine the once-impressive establishment of two dozen buildings, including officers’ quarters, a blacksmith shop, hospital, sutler’s store, and bakery. The ruins surround what was once the parade grounds, still used for historical reenactments and ceremonies. Fort Lancaster recently renovated its visitor center with brand new exhibits that enhance the telling of West Texas military life in the 1800s, Native Americans, the Camel Expedition, and other subjects.

Texas Treasure Business Award

The Texas Treasure Business Award recognizes the accomplishments of Texas businesses that have provided employment and contributed to the state’s economy for at least 50 years. Created in 2005 by Senate Bill 920, authored by Sen. Leticia Van de Putte of San Antonio and sponsored by Rep. Charles “Doc” Anderson of Waco, the program pays tribute to the state’s well-established businesses and their exceptional historical contributions toward the economic growth and prosperity of Texas. Businesses can be nominated for this award by an elected state official or a business representative, and must meet the criteria: — Have been in continuous for-profit operation in Texas for at least 50 years. — Continue to operate the same or a very similar type of business as it did at least 50 years ago. — Have a continuous record of employment for at least the past 50 years. — Continue to operate as an independent, for-profit business (not a subsidiary of or absorbed into another business). — Maintain a good business relationship with the state. To learn more about this award, access the application, or see the list of recipients visit www.thc.state.tx.us.

The site is located between Ozona and Sheffield along U.S. Hwy 290. Small admission charged. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and closed on major holidays. For more information visit the Fort Lancaster Website. Call (432) 836-4391 to schedule group tours. Just east of the fort is a Scenic Overlook with historical markers and panoramic views of the West Texas mesas.

Real Places Conference Recap

The Real Places 2016 heritage travel conference in Austin TX, June 13-15, generated some lively activities and productive discourse for statewide heritage tourism. The conference kicked off at the historic Stateside Theatre on Congress Avenue, where the Kris Kimura Quartet performed jazz tunes. Special guest speakers included John Nau, III, Chairman for the THC, and Lareatha Clay, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Friends of the THC. We were pleased and honored to have Governor Greg Abbott join us for the luncheon and speak positively about Texas heritage tourism.

Attendees had access to sessions and workshops, which included topics on food and culinary tourism, exhibit design innovations, historic highways, the visitor experience, marketing strategies for businesses, and others.

A Night on the Trails Reception featured a meet-and-greet with the Trail Regions and Chet Garner, host of the Daytripper show, who presented a slide show of his favorite visitor spots in each of the regions. Thanks to all who made this event happen!

Pecos Trail Newsletter Jul 2016 Page 4

Regional Upcoming Events

Jul Event – Location 1-31 Vintage Hat Happenings Exhibit — Crockett County Library, Ozona 1-2 Summer Mummers — Yucca Theatre, Midland 1 First Friday Art Walk — Downtown Del Rio 1 Noches Musicales — Brown Plaza, Del Rio 1 Galleria Art Walk — Victorian House, Eagle Pass 2-4 Goodnight Loving July 4th Celebration — Crane and Surrounding Area 2-4 4th of July Celebrations — Town Square, Ozona 2-3 Freedom Celebration — City and County Parks, Junction 2 July 4th Celebration — Pioneer Park, Andrews 2 Montalvo House Market — Montalvo House, Brackettville 2 Fourth of July Celebration — Shelby Park and Downtown, Eagle Pass 2 Midland Downtown Farmers Market — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 2 Firecracker Fandango — Downtown Odessa 2 Fourth of July Celebration — Courthouse Square, Sanderson 2 Fort Lancaster Guided Tour & Hands On History — Fort Lancaster State Historic Site, Sheffield 4 Star-Spangled Salute — Hogan Park, Midland 4 Freedom Festival — Hill Park, Monahans 8-9 Summer Mummers — Yucca Theatre, Midland 8-9 Tall City Blues Fest — Centennial Plaza, Midland 8 Noches Musicales — Brown Plaza, Del Rio 8 Hot Summer Nights — Noel Heritage Plaza, Odessa 9 Montalvo House Market — Montalvo House, Brackettville 9 Little Market on Main — Pocket Park next to Secondhand Treasures, Del Rio 9 Midland Downtown Farmers Market — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 10 Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 14 Summer Off the Patio — Annie Riggs Memorial Museum, Ft. Stockton 15-17 Great Outdoors Expo — Midland County Horseshoe, Midland 15-16 Summer Mummers — Yucca Theatre, Midland 15 Noches Musicales — Brown Plaza, Del Rio 15 Hot Summer Nights — Noel Heritage Plaza, Odessa

The Texas Pecos Trail Region Newsletter is scheduled for website publication and electronic distribution each month.

Texas Pecos Trail Region, P.O. Box 212, Sonora, Texas 76950

Office 325-387-3900 Cell 325-206-2571 Fax 325-387-3977

Email info@texaspecostrail.com Website http://texaspecostrail.com

Executive Director and newsletter publisher: Scott Jordan

Statewide Events, Workshops, Etc. Aug TACVB Annual Conference — Convention Center, El Paso 15-19 — Networking with convention and visitor bureau industry peers, tours, and workshops. To register and learn more visit www.tacvb.org.

Jul Event – Location 16 Montalvo House Market — Montalvo House, Brackettville 16 Midland Downtown Farmers Market — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 17 Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 19 Kevin Costner & Modern West — Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center, Midland/Odessa 21 Third Thursday Reading Program — George W. Bush Childhood Home, Midland 21 Pecos Trail Partners Event — Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, Midland 22-23 Summer Mummers — Yucca Theatre, Midland 22 Noches Musicales — Brown Plaza, Del Rio 22 Hot Summer Nights — Noel Heritage Plaza, Odessa 23 Midland Downtown Farmers Market — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 24 Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 28 Summer Off the Patio — Annie Riggs Memorial Museum, Ft. Stockton 29-30 Summer Mummers — Yucca Theatre, Midland 29 Noches Musicales — Brown Plaza, Del Rio 29 Hot Summer Nights — Noel Heritage Plaza, Odessa 30 Midland Downtown Farmers Market — Museum of the Southwest, Midland 30 Night in Old Pecos & Cantaloupe Festival — West of the Pecos Museum and Downtown, Pecos 31 Summer Sunday Lawn Concerts — Museum of the Southwest, Midland

For more details on upcoming events, please visit the Events or Highlights sections at http://texaspecostrail.com.