Photograph of a sign in Big Springs State Park. It says, "Big Springs State Park, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department." A road is visible behind a stone wall.

Photograph of a mural painted on the side of a building in Stanton, Texas. It features a cowboy, boots, and other Texas scenes.

Photograph of cattle on the Sproul Ranch. The cattle lays down on the ground near a tree. There is a pile of wood to the right and behind the cattle.

Photograph of a head of cattle standing in front of trees on the Sproul Ranch. It has a roan coat, and a yellow tag with the number "20" in it in its left ear.

Photograph of two cattle on the Sproul Ranch. The red and white cow is laying down. The lighter cow is preparing to lay down.

Photograph of a cattle skull sitting on a bed of small rocks. It's crown is up against a large red rock, and there is a plant growing behind it.

Photograph of a Cholla cactus on the Sproul Ranch near Fort Davis, Texas.

Photograph of a cistern at the Sproul Ranch. It is behind a barbed wire fence, and there are many plants in the surrounding area.

Photograph of the dedication plaque on a copy of the Statue of Liberty in Midland, Texas. It reads: "With the faith and courage of their forefathers who made possible the freedom of these United States. The Boy Scouts of America dedicate this copy of the Statue of Liberty as a pledge of everlasting fidelity and loyalty. 40th anniversary crusade to strengthen the arm of liberty 1950."

Photograph of a deer hidden in the brush on Sproul Ranch. There is a pile of large rocks in front of the deer.

Photograph of a Desert Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus crooki. It is bending down to inspect something on the ground in front of a tree.

Photograph of a Desert Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus crooki, taken at Davis Mountains State Park. It is bending down.

Photograph of a Desert Mule Deer, Odocoileus hemionus crooki, taken at Davis Mountains State Park. It is bending down next to a tree.

Photograph of the Ector County Courthouse in Odessa, Texas. The roads are wet from a recent rain, and there are many trees in front of the building.

Photograph of the Ector County Courthouse in Odessa, Texas. The roads are wet from a recent rain, and there are many trees obscuring the view of the building.

Photograph of the rear of the Ector County Courthouse in Odessa. The roads are wet from a recent rain, and there are many cars parked in front of the building. A staircase under the overhang leads to the back entrance.

Photograph of a historical plaque in Midland, Texas. It reads: "The Midland Man. Oldest human remains in New World. Found 1953 on ranch near here by pipeline welder Keith Glasscock. Fossilized skull, rib and hands bones had been exposed by weather conditions. Tests indicated these were bones of a woman who lived as long ago as 9000 - 9500 B.C.; nearby were bones of extinct species of horse, camel, mammoth, pecxcary, wolf, sloth; with weapons, tools and signs of ancient campfires. Drs. Fred Wendorf and Alex D. Krieger, archaeologists; Claude C. Albritton, geologist; T.D. Stewart, physician and anthropologist, made studies of the discovery. (1966)."

Photograph of a historic plaque in Stanton, Texas. It reads: "Marienfeld. Former name of Stanton. Begun as German colony by 5 German Catholics from Kansas, who pitched tents here, near new Texas & Pacific Railroad in 1881. The site - with a water tank, section house, telegraph office - bore name Grelton, but settlers had it changed to Marienfeld - German for "Field of Mary". County was created 1876 and named for Wylie Martin, senator in Republic of Texas. When the county organized, town became county seat. First commissioners court met here December 13, 1884. Through Protestant influence, town was renamed Stanton, 1890. (1970)"

Photograph of the largest wind turbines in America, according to a Big Spring promotional blurb In 1998, TU Electric and York Research began phase 1 of the Big Spring Wind Power Project. These wind turbines are 371 foot tall. This photo taken from the edge of the Edwards Plateau.

Photograph of the Martin County Courthouse, built 1975 by architects Riherd & Huckabee.

Photograph of the Martin County Courthouse in Stanton, Texas.

Photograph of a sign that says "Martin County Courthouse" in Stanton, Texas.

McDonald Observatory as viewed from the Sproul Ranch

Photograph of a memorial plaque for George Reeves on Reeves County Courthouse grounds. It reads: "County named for Texas Confederate George R. Reeves (1826 - 1882). Organized, captained company in 11th Texas Cavalry start Civil War. Served in Arkansas, Indian Territory, Kentucky. Invasion of 1862 assigned to Wheeler's Cavalry in Tennessee. Promoted Colonel and command of 11th Cavalry 1863. Led regiment Chickamauga in 1864, fought in 100-day Atlanta campaign, guerilla warfare against Sherman's march to the sea. In battle at Savannah in 1865. Participated Carolinas campaign. A memorial to Texans who served the Confederacy. Erected by the State of Texas, 1963."