A small city in 1882, named Osborne, sprang up at the foot of what is now proudly called “A” mountain. Cattlemen and railroaders living in tents were the start of what is now considered one of fifty safest cities in the United States. This small tent city was fed by a cool spring on land then owned by the Murphy brothers. The railroad, in need of water offered the brothers the right to call the settlement Murphyville in exchange for the use of the water from the spring. Murphyville was then registered as the new name with the Presido County Clerk, as the area was then part of said county. In 1888 the citizens petitioned for a name change to Alpine that was granted. The town continued to grow until 1921 when Sul Ross State Normal college was opened. This helped bring about huge changes to Alpine. City utilities were brought in. Streets were paved. In 1940 Big Bend National Park was created bringing more people into the area.
With a vast area of open lands surrounding Alpine there is a wildness here. You can drive for days and never see it all. The dry climate is great year round. The cool desert evenings in even the hottest part of the summer bring a respite that few places can match. Paired with the open skies full of stars most can only imagine, the area haunts souls with its magic.
Finding Murphyville 