Seniors Enjoy a West Texas Oasis

Do you have your coffee, friends, we’re headed for Texas this morning. San Angelo, in West Central Texas, with its 100,000 citizens, is the largest city in this mostly sparsely-populated part of west Texas. Senior travelers find San Angelo a beautiful setting, home to awesome three lakes, and the beautiful Concho River, that runs through the heart of the city.

San Angelo was founded in the late 1800s outside a new Army post, Fort Concho. The founder, Bartholomew DeWitt, named it “Santa Angela” after his wife, Carolina Angela. This was eventually shortened to “San Angela.”

The final change came in 1883 when the US Postal Service informed the town that the name was grammatically incorrect (san can only be used before a male name). Rather than revert to the original name, they simply changed it to “San Angelo.”

 Seniors Enjoy San Angelo’s Great Location

San Angelo is perfectly situated between the lush East Texas Hill Country and the rolling plains of West Texas. Texas is divided into 7 different and distinct regions, and this senior loves them all.  Hill Country is one of my favorites.

San Angelo is home to Fort Concho, a National Historic Landmark. Established in 1867, along the banks of the Concho River. Fort Concho was built to protect frontier settlements, patrol and map the vast West Texas region, and quell hostile threats in the area.

In 1889 the last soldiers left and it was deactivated and is now a historic preservation project and museum.

Constructed for the most part of native limestone, Fort Concho consisted of at least forty buildings and covered more than 1600 acres.  Fort Concho National Historic Landmark encompasses most of the former army post and includes twenty-three original and restored fort structures.

Fort Concho And The Riverwalk Interest Seniors

The Convention and Visitors Bureau site highlights the history of San Angelo. In addition, San Angelo enjoys an active arts community, highlighted by the San Angelo Museum of Fine Art and the San Angelo Civic Theater.

“What city in Texas has a historic downtown district with a river running through it; has an internationally renowned museum; and possesses a cultural and artistic community surpassing all expectations?”

Running through the center of town and home to beautiful, one-of-a-kind freshwater mussel pearls called “Concho Pearls,” the Concho River is a key feature of San Angelo. Senior walkers enjoy the Riverwalk located on the Concho River with its 4 miles of walking/running trails and 14 water displays.

The words used to describe downtown San Angelo are as numerous and diverse as the people who live and visit there. So you will all be welcomed in San Angelo. Take in the many amenities the city has to offer and senior visitors will come away with many fond memories.  jeb