![]() "Histories never conclude; they just pause their prose. Their stories are, if they are truthful, untidy affairs, resistant to windings-up and sortings-out. They beat raggedly on into the future..." Simon Schama Big Bend is a gift from those who came before us. Often referred to as Texas' Gift to the Nation, Big Bend is famous for its natural resources and recreational opportunities, the park is also rich in cultural history. Native peoples lived in and/or passed through this area for thousands of years. Their presence is evidenced by pictographs and archeological sites. In more recent history (the last 500 years) Texas has been claimed by six different nations! ![]() Human HistoryFrom prehistoric Indians to ranchers, miners to park visitors. ![]() Big Bend's Original InhabitantsDiscover the earliest groups that lived in Big Bend. ![]() Big Bend ArchaeologyThere still is much to learn about the prehistory of Big Bend National Park ![]() PeopleDiscover some of Big Bend's best characters: ranchers, residents, organizations, advocates, and park rangers. ![]() PlacesRanches, villages, trading posts, mines, and cavalry camps. ![]() StoriesBig Bend, with its long and rich cultural history, is home to many stories, tales and legends. ![]() Texas' Gift to the NationBig Bend is a gift from those who came before us, who worked hard to promote and protect the area as a national park. ![]() Historic DocumentsFrom Big Bend's past, these documents provide a glimpse into the by-gone days of this remote park. ![]() Early Park History BooksNostalgic reports on Big Bend's variety of cultural resources during the early days of the park. |
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Last updated: April 17, 2020