Alpine, West Texas: Sul Ross State University; things to do

Sul Ross State University  

Located on the campus, the Museum of the Big Bend & Map Room (400 N. Harrison St., (432) 837-8730.  Tu-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1-5pm.  Free.) this museum displays fossils, black-and-white photographs of West Texas, and early Texas art.  However, it is most famous for its collection of 2,000 historical maps and atlases focusing on Texas.  Informative about Big Bend National Park is also available.

exterior of Museum of the Big Bend & Map Room on Sul Ross State University campus
in Alpine, Texas

taxidermied black bear in Museum of the Big Bend & Map Room
on Sul Ross State University campus in Alpine, Texas

In 1981, several students here carried a desk up to Hancock Hill, right above the Mountainside dormitory.  They began studying there in the beautiful surroundings. One student left a notebook in a desk drawer, and when he checked later discovered that someone had written in it.  He left a reply and soon the tradition of the notebook in The Desk was born.  Students, staff, and visitors alike began hiking Hancock Hill for respite and to visit The Desk.  Now, the completed notebooks are kept in the Archives of the Big Bend in the Bryan Wildenthal Memorial Library.  To reach The Desk, take Entrance 4, drive to the top, turn left and park at the highest point behind Mountainside dorm.  Look for a trail heading uphill and continue climbing to a rock pile at the top, and then follow the trail to The Desk.  Allow 20 minutes to hike from the parking lot. 



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images ©2020 Carole Terwilliger Meyers