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Public History in the Wild – Manuel Musquiz Ranch Home

The author standing outside the ruins of the house, across the highway stands the plaque dedicated to the home.

These are the ruins of a ranch home built by Manuel Musquiz who was a pioneer who settled down in between Fort Davis and Alpine, TX in 1854. Due to the frequency of Native American raids during that period Mr. Musquiz eventually abandoned his home and moved elsewhere. From 1880 to 1882, the Texas Rangers used it as a Ranger station while they were clearing out Native Americans and marauding bandits in the surrounding area. After the Rangers abandoned it, the home eventually fell into disarray until it became as it is today.

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Public History in the Wild: Little Bighorn Battlefield

The author standing in front of the monument to the 7th Cavalry
This is the monument for the men of the US Army’s 7th Cavalry who fought and died at the Battle of Little Bighorn. Famously known as General Custer’s Last Stand, the battle famously saw the total annihilation of the famed general and his men by a combined force of several Native American tribes led by Chief Sitting Bull. The monument stands roughly where historians believe Custer fell on Last Stand Hill. While visiting the battlefield I was taken aback by the feeling of knowing I was walking on the same ground where warriors from both sides fought and fell.