Persimmon Gap was my home when I was a child

[doodle228]

My mother & father Bill & Jimmie Cooper owned and operated a store and a service station at Persimmon Gap.  I lived there until my father sold out to the National Park Service and can remember a lot of fun times there with my brother and we met a lot of tourists.  We knew all of the rangers and Hallie Stillwell was our neighbor.  I had plenty of nicknames when I was growing up as all of the rangers gave me one as they stopped by my dad's store.  My mother taught school at Terlinqua and also San Vicente many, many years ago.  My family always tries to come to the annual "Pioneer Reunion"" and hear the ole timers speak, my dad was one of them not too many years ago.  He is now 87.  He came to the Big Bend the first time on horse back when he was 10 years old.  All of my family loves the Big Bend and hope and pray they continue taking good care of it. Sincerely, Judy T.

[Bobcat]

You should have some wonderful stories to share here, Judy.  Thanks for your introduction Post frequently : )

[SHANEA]

and operated a store and a service station at Persimmon Gap.  I lived there until my father sold out to the National Park Service

Howdy!  Welcome aboard!  Do post often.  Where exactly was the store and service station located at Persimmon Gap - I don't recall seeing any traces of it.

BTW - feel free to become a member of the board that David created for us addicts to feed our habits.  It's easy and free, but you don't have to....   :lol:

[Casa Grande]

cool!  A real Big Bend pioneer on the board....welcome and I hope to read more of your posts in the future!

[SHANEA]

Doodle228 sent me this PM and I thought I'd share it as I found that it was quite interesting.  

The Ranger station that is currently at Persimmon Gap was remodeled and formerly it was the "Cooper Store" My father built the building and they did not tear it down, just did some changes to it. There is a building behind it , where my dad stored supplies, bottled drinks and supplies. Also, the next time you are there, if you go down behind the main building and the second building, you will find a small creek and walk down it for a short distance, you will find a did out with a wooden door that is still there, where my dad had large hunks of ice delivered to use for the tourists and for our private use. I have pictures of it if you would like for me to send them to you. The service station was torn down and their is currently no sign of it ever being there. The first store that my Dad and Mom had was about 7 miles down the road, and it was a rock store that my Grandfather had built and it was the first place that the park purchased and my dad just moved up the road and built a new store as my grandfather at one time owned about 2000 acres in that part of the Big Bend, he lost some of his land during the Depression.

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Doodle228 sent me this PM and I thought I'd share it as I found that it was quite interesting.  

The Ranger station that is currently at Persimmon Gap was remodeled and formerly it was the "Cooper Store" My father built the building and they did not tear it down, just did some changes to it. There is a building behind it , where my dad stored supplies, bottled drinks and supplies. Also, the next time you are there, if you go down behind the main building and the second building, you will find a small creek and walk down it for a short distance, you will find a did out with a wooden door that is still there, where my dad had large hunks of ice delivered to use for the tourists and for our private use. I have pictures of it if you would like for me to send them to you. The service station was torn down and their is currently no sign of it ever being there. The first store that my Dad and Mom had was about 7 miles down the road, and it was a rock store that my Grandfather had built and it was the first place that the park purchased and my dad just moved up the road and built a new store as my grandfather at one time owned about 2000 acres in that part of the Big Bend, he lost some of his land during the Depression.

I think I speak for everyone when I say "Heck yeah, we'd love to see some pictures"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Lemming_of_the_BDA]

Doodle228 sent me this PM and I thought I'd share it as I found that it was quite interesting.  

Also, the next time you are there, if you go down behind the main building and the second building, you will find a small creek and walk down it for a short distance, you will find a did out with a wooden door that is still there, where my dad had large hunks of ice delivered to use for the tourists and for our private use.

Found it.

[randell]

Now that's what this board is all about.  Cool little bits of history and secrets like this!

[01ACRViper]

ver very cool  

any stories you'd share with us we'd love to hear  [-o<