Big Spring

Dubbed the Oasis of West Texas, at the crossroads of the northern tip of the Edwards Plateau and the southernmost hills of the Caprock, lies the town of Big Spring. This once rough-and-tumble stop has come a long way during its frontier days, with comfortable hotels, excellent Tex-Mex restaurants, and great family entertainment. But it still carries that same spirit of the Wild West, and it might just be the perfect place for your next Texas adventure.

For thousands of years, the historic spring that gave the city its name was a source of life for buffalo, mustangs, and antelope, as well as Native Americans, cowboys, and gold rushers headed west to find their fortunes. The abundant spring was also a source of westward railroad expansion, making Big Spring a desirable enroute railway stop for the Texas and Pacific Railroad (later merging with Union Pacific Railroad), especially in the 1880s. With a bustling population of about 47 people, 25 of them being Texas Rangers, Big Spring was one of the largest frontier settlements in the West Texas Plains!  

It comes as no surprise that only a few years later, the city of Big Spring was established as the county seat of Howard County in 1882.  

In 1929, the discovery of oil in the region from the Permian Basin led to the construction of one of the nation’s most important oil refineries. Acquired by Delek in 2017, the Big Spring Delek Oil Refinery continues to operate, pumping out a whopping 70,000+ barrels of crude oil per day. Along with the installation of the Webb Air Force Base in 1951, Big Spring grew exponentially, expanding into the thriving town it is today.  

You can get a feel for the activity inside the base by visiting the Hangar 25 Air Museum. Inside the restored WWII hangar, check out the classic aircraft and learn about the men who attended the Big Spring Bombardier School during the Second World War. For more insight into the people who used to live here, head to the center of town to see the Heritage Museum of Big Spring. Antique guns, monstrous sets of longhorns, and vintage dolls are some of the eye-catching artifacts on display here. Be sure and make time to swing by the nearby Potton House, a historic home built in 1912.

Lest you get a little too sedentary during your visit to Big Spring, head outside and enjoy the picturesque West Texas scenery. Start at the Big Spring Historic Spring. Pristinely landscaped with educational storyboards, walking paths and bridges, observation decks overlooking the spring, and even a performance stage with full electrical hookups, it’s a place for both silent solo retreat and for large groups to gather.   

You can play a round of golf on the rolling hills of the Comanche Trail Golf Course, or hike to the top of a 200-foot bluff and admire the view in Big Spring State Park. To beat the heat, hit the water at Moss Creek Lake or swing by the Big Spring water park, the Russ McEwen Family Aquatic Center.    

If you’re looking for a unique Big Spring attraction, be sure to check out The Train Car, a vintage-style cigar bar in town. Serving more than just smoke, The Train Car Bar also offers visitors wine and spirits to enjoy in their cozy and casual outdoor patio area. Even if smoking cigars isn’t your pastime, you can sit back, relax, and experience firsthand the small-town hospitality and local charm of West Texas Plains. 

Rightfully named, “The Crown Jewel of West Texas,” treasured Hotel Settles is a historic luxury hotel in Big Spring. Built in 1930 by oil ranchers and architect David Castle, it was once the tallest building between El Paso and Fort Worth! Vintage and modern, Hotel Settles gives visitors the best of both worlds during their stay.  

Head on out west and discover for yourself the big sky, and the big heart, of Big Spring!