Ingram, Texas: An Old Town with Art - Sept. 22, 2018

After weeks of rain, and more pouring rain when I left the house this morning, I was skeptical about walking today. It was pitch black when I drove to meet Susan at her house. We had checked the forecast for Ingram, Texas, 1-1/2 hours away, and decided to head there for the walk sponsored by the Kerrville  Trailblazers.

The hardest part of the day was the drive over to Susan and Darren's house. Standing water was on the freeways, and I had to avoid the way that I normally drive to their house because that road floods. Once I got there, we parked my car in the garage and we took their van for the road trip.

As we progressed on our drive, the sky got lighter, and the rain stopped. By the time we got to Ingram, it was 62 degrees, cloudy, no rain, and a chilly wind. I did not have a coat with me but decided by the time we walked I would warm up. Susan had a nice jeans jacket so she was toasty at the beginning, but took it off within 1/2 hour.

Ingram is a small town of about 1,900 people, but it has a history that is highlighted by The Murals, 15 large panels painted on the side of the lumber yard. Photos on this in a bit.

First, we walked around a small city park. Then we headed along the main highway which took us past businesses and The Murals.

Part of "The Murals."

A great-looking "Givens Metalcrafts" gate.

Old Ingram Social Club

We continued down the highway and then turned into Old Ingram Loop Shopping District. I was no longer cold. We passed antique shops and boutiques. 

"Perfect Surroundings" shop.

Need a gorilla?

Cowboy sculpture on the bed of an old pick-up.

Southwestern Elegance shop.

Being that this is Texas, movement of cattle is a big part of its early history. The Great Western Trail passed through Ingram and cattle were moved to northern markets along this route. 

While reading up on The Great Western Trail, I learned that in the early 21st century the Great Western Cattle Trail Association decided to preserve the route of the trail by placing cement markers every six miles along the route. We found one of those markers in Old Town Ingram!

Cement trail marker.

We also found a Wells Fargo Express and Stage Coach stop.

Wells Fargo Express and Stage Coach Stop.

Fancy door/gate to a garden.

Old building facade with a new building behind it.

Blue Moon Antiques.

Riverside RV Park.

From the Old Town Loop, we got on the main highway again to cross Johnson Creek, and then we turned off the highway at Hill Country Arts Foundation. If you have never been to Ingram before, you will be surprised by what's here.

Beautiful Johnson Creek

Wait, what's this? Stonehenge?

Yes, you can see it looks like Stonehenge; however, it's Stonehenge II. At the Hill Country Arts Foundation (HCAF), you will find many things. For example, Stonehenge II, replicas of Easter Island Moai heads, art workshops, a gallery, and a theater with year-round productions.

Susan Medlin with Moai head.

Artsy Art Gallery sculpture

You'll even find a tutorial on Harvester Ants (good) vs. Fire Ants (bad). Read up. 

Click on photo to enlarge for reading.

An informational sign on site gives this history:

"In 1989, Kerr County native Doug Hill finished work on the back patio on his Hunt, Texas property and was left with one extra limestone slab. As a joke, he offered it to his good friend and neighbor Al Sheppard, who then...stood the slab upright in the middle of his pasture. Sheppard and Hill liked the look of the monolith and built an arch around it. The 13-foot arch reminded them of Stonehenge in England. Soon a vision formed and Sheppard contracted Hill to build their very own Stonehenge II.

"The original Stonehenge in Wiltshire, England was erected around 2,500 B.C. and is believed to have functional [sic] as an important site for religious or astrological ceremonies.

"Sheppard and Hill's project took about nine months to complete. Hill fabricated the stones from steel, metal lathe [sic], and plaster and anchored each with cement. Stonehenge II is 90% as wide and 60% as tall as the original. Later, after visiting Easter Island off the coast of Chile, Sheppard was inspired to add two 13-foot tall Moai head statues to the collection.

"Al Sheppard passed away in 1994 and his property stayed within the family. In 2010, the Sheppard Family donated Stonehenge II and the Moai to the HCAF in memory of Al, a long-time supporter of the organization. After funds were raised, the structures were moved to the current home on this campus in 2012."

Below is more information about HCAF:

Another photo of Stonehenge II

Me with the other Moai head.

We continued along the Guadalupe River to our first checkpoint with the Kerrville Trailblazers Volkssport Club. They had water, Tootsie Rolls, and cut-up oranges. Thank you so much!

Next, we saw the dam on the Guadalupe River. At this point, we crossed the highway and headed back toward town.

Dam on the Guadalupe River.

Johnson Creek

Young Cypress trees in Johnson Creek.

This must be a wine store. (Call me Captain Obvious.)

Now this is an ATV!

More Volksmarchers starting out. 

On the way into town, we passed close to The Murals. They're very well done. They were painted in 2008 by Westphal and depict the town's history.

Abundant game.

1921

1909 - motorized vehicles

1889 - the arrival of the train

1860 - Longhorn cattle drives to Kansas

1857 - Many gristmills along the river.

Wells Fargo Stage Coach

Mural of the old Ingram.

Recent rains made wildflowers bloom again.

5k Volksmarchers headed back to the start.

The rest of the 10k walk meandered through neighborhoods. After we finished walking, we headed to Culver's for lunch. Thank you again to all the Kerrville Trailblazers who put on a great walk today!