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Too few green pastures in this area led settlers to innovative ideas of livelihood. Thus, the sheep and mohair goat ranching industry began. These daring pioneers turned a virtual wasteland into a highly successful enterprise which resulted in a Texas-sized industry that has enabled our region to be prosperous and much sought after ranch land. HMSA is paying tribute to and honoring our pioneer ranchers and their ranching descendants by immortalizing their contributions with a larger-than-life ranching mural.
The Ranching Mural, is located on the west wall of Bill’s Man Shop. This location is truly the “western gateway” to downtown San Angelo located at the corner of Beauregard and Randolph streets. To date, this is the largest mural that HMSA has undertaken at 20’ x 107’. The renowned Texas Muralist Stylle Read, has graced much of West Texas-and several other states-with his talent and respect of Texas heritage.
After sketching ideas of historically researched data from various archives, Stylle met with many of the current-day sheep, mohair, and Herford cattle ranchers for their input. He has gone to extreme measures to replicate an authentic reproduction of our local history. The result is an epic saga contained in a relatively small area. It will most certainly be a “must see” among San Angelo’s major focal points.
By Marilyn Ross, Historian for Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc.
Viewers will find examples of the sheep, goats and Herefords raised in this area for generations. Examples of both Shearing and Branding methods used in the 20’s and 30’s as well as examples of tools, equipment, tanks, windmill, chuck wagon and the cotton industry in the area and the famous Santa Rita Oil Well that roared in 1927. There is so much information in this mural that viewers will find something they didn’t notice the last time every time they view this masterpiece.
The Executive Director and the Board of Directors of Historic Murals of San Angelo, Inc invite you to come see this powerful mural in person and while you are in the area be sure to visit all our historic murals and dial our Guide by Cell to hear a live voice tell you little known historic facts about each mural.
