Classic Big Bend photos to go on display at Belmont Hotel

by PegNews wire

The Big Bend country of Texas has become popular lately, with the tiny town of Marfa booming as an artists’ haven and the scenery attracting filmmakers like the Coen brothers and Paul Anderson who recently shot No Country For Old Men and There Will Be Blood in the region. Long before this special part of Texas was “discovered” it was the home to rugged ranchers, oil men and hardy souls who were enraptured by the endless vistas, clear skies and lack of people.

On Thursday, December 13, the Belmont Hotel will host an opening night showing of Classic Big Bend: The photos of Dr. Frank Warnock. Assembled by son Kirby F. Warnock, these photos capture the area from 1941-1947, with black and white images of some of the people and the landscapes of Brewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos and Presidio County as well as Big Bend National Park.

For people attracted by the artwork of Donald Judd in Marfa, or the scenery near Alpine, these photos will take you back 60 years ago to a time when the Trans-Pecos had far fewer people and roads. Some of the images in the showing are of the Nichols Ranch near Alpine, the Prude Ranch in Fort Davis, the Spur Ranch south of Marfa, the Glass Mountains in Pecos County and the newly opened Big Bend National Park. Most of the people in the photos look as if they walked off of the set of Giant, the mythic motion picture shot near Marfa.

“It makes sense to hold this showing at the Belmont,” says Kirby Warnock, “Because the hotel was built during the same time these photos were taken (1946). The Belmont is also located on the road that most people took out to the Big Bend, the old Highway 180 west to Fort Worth and beyond.”

Kirby’s father, Dr. Frank Warnock, was born and raised in Fort Stockton, Texas, in Pecos County. “My father benefited from growing up around two men who were among the most influential in the Big Bend, his father, Roland Warnock, and his cousin Dr. Barton H. Warnock,” says Kirby. “He went with them to several places.”

The Warnock legacy includes the following landmarks in the Trans-Pecos region:

• Warnock Road near Fort Stockton, named after Roland Warnock
• Warnock Park near Marathon, named after Roland Warnock
• Warnock Visitor Center at Big Bend Ranch State Park named after Barton H. Warnock
• Warnock’s cactus, named after Barton H. Warnock
• Warnock Science Building at Sul Ross University, named after Barton H. Warnock

With a pedigree like this, it is not hard to see how these photographs are a “must” for anyone wanting a view of the Big Bend as it once was. The opening night showing takes place Thursday, December 13 at 7:00 pm and will feature 17 photographs, appetizers and a cash bar. Kirby F. Warnock will be on hand to answer questions and sign any purchased photos from his father’s collection.

Kirby F. Warnock may be reached at 214-942-4905, or via e-mail at kirby@bigbendquarterly.com.

Source: Kirby F. Warnock