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Tell me about Alpine, Texas

5,878 Views | 54 Replies | Last: 1 hr ago by InfantryAg
LETTUCE PRAY
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9:55a, 2/18/25
Does the Alpine area or Brewster County in general have a lot of issues with cartels/illegals?

ETA: Not trying to be political, just analytical. It's something to think about if you're considering buying land in certain regions
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InfantryAg
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In reply to LETTUCE PRAY • 10:01p, 2/18/25
AG
LETTUCE PRAY said:
Does the Alpine area or Brewster County in general have a lot of issues with cartels/illegals?

ETA: Not trying to be political, just analytical. It's something to think about if you're considering buying land in certain regions
Hadn't been there in awhile. It is desolate enough that it used to not be a preferred route. Then one smaller operation took advantage to get bigger. Then the sheriff got busted for trafficking for the cartel.

With the last admin, probably not much reason to go that way. Now, that may be changing.

Whatever smuggling organization that's in that area of mexico, has a lot to do with it.
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JM84
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In reply to LETTUCE PRAY • 11:53p, 2/18/25
Definitely rough terrain. Good friend of mine was a ranch manager about 17 miles north of marathon on 385. Only came across illegals once in the seven years he was out there. They asked for water, he gave it to them, then called BP after they headed out.

My best friend has worked at the Gage a pretty good while and I go out to visit 2-3 times a year. It's been interesting to see the increase in out of town buyers/airbnb's in marathon over the past 10 years. For some reason the initial boom in Marfa and later on in marathon has skipped over Alpine and Fort Davis.

As for Alpine, the Reata is nowhere near what it used to be imo. Railroad Blues and Crystal Bar both shut down in the past couple of years. Spicewood on the west side of town is pretty decent and there are some good food trucks (and oddly enough a Thai food place) that have come on pretty recently.

All things considered, it's probably my favorite place to visit. The locals are so genuine and the countryside is absolutely beautiful in its own way. I've been lucky enough to travel quite a bit and I don't think I've ever seen prettier sunsets. Definitely get out there if you get a chance.

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sunchaser
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4:44a, 2/19/25
sunchaser
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7:02a, 2/19/25
AG
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Apache
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7:24a, 2/19/25
AG
I prefer Fort Davis to Alpine, but both are beautiful.
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Hewey Calloway
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In reply to InfantryAg • 10:04a, 2/19/25
AG
InfantryAg said:
LETTUCE PRAY said:
Does the Alpine area or Brewster County in general have a lot of issues with cartels/illegals?

ETA: Not trying to be political, just analytical. It's something to think about if you're considering buying land in certain regions
Hadn't been there in awhile. It is desolate enough that it used to not be a preferred route. Then one smaller operation took advantage to get bigger. Then the sheriff got busted for trafficking for the cartel.

With the last admin, probably not much reason to go that way. Now, that may be changing.

Whatever smuggling organization that's in that area of mexico, has a lot to do with it.
That was the Presidio county sheriff, not Brewster. South county has it's share of illegals/smuggling. Presidio County has much more due to the terrain/passes. Both aren't anywhere near the levels of South Texas.

If you're looking for a good podcast, check out Witnessed: Borderlands season 1. It's about the Presidio County sheriff and smuggling in West Texas in the 80's. Pablo Acosta ran that territory back then.
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Slicer97
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In reply to Hewey Calloway • 8:03a, 2/20/25
AG
Hewey Calloway said:
Great place to grow up. If I had a way to make a living there I'd move back. What are you wanting to know?
Username checks out.
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Cibalo
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In reply to Bucketrunner • 2:17p, 2/20/25
Someone bought the drugstore and then gave it to their loser son to run. He decided it was too much work so it is now only available if you are staying in one of the 6 rooms above it.
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Cibalo
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3:05p, 2/20/25
I grew up in Ft Davis, parents still live there. I get back at least once a year. Alpine is the hub for shopping and really getting anything you need in the area. Certainly more "entertainment " options there but that isn't say much.

Cost of living is low, country I'd beautiful but rough. It gets cold there and the wind blows alot. Summers are hot but dry. Small University there that also provides some culture.

In general you need to be a bit of a handyman to do the upkeep on your property. Not a lot of people in the trades and the ones that are are usually booked far in advanced.

Other things to do in Marfa, Ft Davis, and Marathon and lots of wildlife. People are friendly but keep to themselves. Newspaper comes out once a week. There are trains that come through the town so don't live close to the tracks.
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LETTUCE PRAY
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In reply to Cibalo • 3:41p, 2/20/25
Have you ever seen a Mountain Lion out there?
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Hewey Calloway
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In reply to LETTUCE PRAY • 4:25p, 2/20/25
AG
I've seen two mountain lions in the wild in my life. One in the Glass mountains east of Alpine. One just inside the northern boundary of Big Bend Ranch State Park.

I also got to see two kept in a pen on a place in Jeff Davis county.

Also re: the train in Alpine, I grew up 3 blocks from the tracks. The sound of a train horn in the distance at night is as soothing as my mothers voice. You learn to get used to it.
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Cibalo
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In reply to LETTUCE PRAY • 4:26p, 2/20/25
Saw one run across a ranch road one night. Seen a few deada ones trapper/hunters got off some ranches.

Never saw one in all my time hiking and camping in the Davis Mountains.
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jja79
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In reply to Hewey Calloway • 4:40p, 2/20/25
AG
The Glass Mountains are east of Alpine in Northern Brewster and southern Pecos County aren't they?
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Hewey Calloway
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In reply to jja79 • 5:04p, 2/20/25
AG
lol yes. I'm an idiot. It's all west out there.
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Martin Cash
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5:33p, 2/20/25
AG
The Museum of the Big Bend on the campus of Sul Ross is a must. And check out Big Bend Saddlery.
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jja79
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In reply to Hewey Calloway • 6:46p, 2/20/25
AG
Fort Stockton is my home so I thought I was right about that. Not that I'm a geographer.
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AgRyan04
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6:57p, 2/20/25
The drive from Alpine to Fort Davis is probably my favorite stretch of road in the state
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Cibalo
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7:35p, 2/20/25
It also has some of the darkest and prettiest sky in the world
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InfantryAg
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In reply to Hewey Calloway • 10:35p, 2/20/25
AG
Hewey Calloway said:

That was the Presidio county sheriff, not Brewster. South county has it's share of illegals/smuggling. Presidio County has much more due to the terrain/passes. Both aren't anywhere near the levels of South Texas.

If you're looking for a good podcast, check out Witnessed: Borderlands season 1. It's about the Presidio County sheriff and smuggling in West Texas in the 80's. Pablo Acosta ran that territory back then.
Thanks for the correction and the podcast recommendation. I'll definitely check it out.
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