Howard: Changing Landscapes and History in Big Spring

In Howard County and at Big Spring State Park, three ecological regions meet: the Western Rolling Plains lie to the north and east, the Edwards Plateau to the south, and the Southern High Plains to the west, also known as the Llano Estacado or Staked Plains. The different landscape names give the area a distinctive West Texas setting. Big Spring itself lies in a rocky canyon between two high spurs of the Caprock Escarpment.

Landscapes and Trails at Big Spring State Park

Big Spring State Park covers 382 acres of dry plains landscape and features a 200-foot escarpment. The paved loop road is three miles long and is intended for walkers, joggers and cyclists. A two-thirds-of-a-mile nature trail also passes cacti and other desert plants. The routes therefore differ in both length and character: the loop road focuses on the route itself, while the nature trail showcases the plant life along the way.

Water and Activities in Big Spring

Comanche Trail Park offers hiking, biking and nature trails, as well as two 18-hole disc golf courses. The 400-acre park also includes a limestone amphitheater with seating for 6,900 spectators. At Comanche Trail Lake, visitors can fish and picnic—a different way to spend time in the park than on the trails or at the amphitheater.

Moss Creek Lake offers about 400 acres for recreation. Residents and visitors can fish, go boating, swim and picnic there. Compared with Comanche Trail Lake, boating and swimming are also among the activities available here. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Howard, you can first decide whether to focus on trails, water or culture, then check the location against the places you want to visit.

Regional History at the Heritage Museum

The Heritage Museum of Big Spring collects, displays and preserves artifacts that reflect the history of Big Spring and Howard County. The museum has 13,000 square feet for exhibits, storage, a research area and a loading dock. The Caylor Gallery displays one of the largest collections of paintings by H. W. Caylor.

Individual exhibit areas also present specific chapters of local history. The museum recounts that Josh Cosden built a refinery in Howard County in 1928 with a capacity of 10,000 barrels. The Texas & Pacific Railroad exhibit records that the first train arrived in Big Spring on May 28, 1881. The Imagination Station offers interactive activities, touchscreen kiosks with local history games, and a sensory corner.

Historic Sites and Aviation History

The addition of the Big Spring Downtown Historic District to the National Register of Historic Places was announced on September 12, 2024. Its significance to local community planning and to commercial and architectural development was recognized. The Potton House is a historic residence listed on the Register; it also represents Big Spring architecture around the turn of the 20th century.

According to a historical account, the Historic Spring served as a campsite for early expeditions through West Texas. The Comanches also met there to set out along the route known as the “Great Comanche War Trail.” A 1,600-square-foot interpretive and educational center was established as part of the spring’s restoration.

The Hangar 25 Air Museum is housed in a fully restored hangar dating from World War II. It preserves the history of the Big Spring Army Air Force Bombardier School and Webb Air Force Base. Retired veterans and public service employees who staff the museum often share memories of its history as an aviation site.

The December Festival of Lights

The Comanche Trail Festival of Lights in Big Spring takes place every year from the first Sunday in December through Christmas Day. Nearly 700,000 festive lights are displayed free of charge. Dates and scale may vary from year to year, so check the details for the current edition before visiting.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dallas, Kimble County, Tyler, Parker, Guadalupe, Coryell County, Bexar.

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