Fort Chadbourne, the Richards & Big Daddy

A short ride through Bronte, Texas  brought us to Peňa's Red Barn  for a plate of BBQ beef brisket and potato salad. I should have stopped there, but when the server asked, "Would ya'll like some desert...coconut cream pie?", I couldn't resist.

The slice of pie — like most things in Texas — was HUGE. It was amazing, and I could barely walk out of the restaurant from eating so much.

If you're ever in Bronte, Texas check this place out. You won't be disappointed.

During lunch (or "supper," as they call it here), Garland and Lana were telling me about the restoration they have done on the fort and the archeological work they have completed on the Butterfield stage stop. Garland explained how they came to begin the restoration: During a storm in 1997, one of the main walls of the building fell and the stones were scattered.

He decided right then and there to begin preserving these historical buildings — they have been a part of his life since he was old enough to remember.

After realizing what a monumental task historic preservation really is, he and Lana went to school to learn to write grants, and soon formed the Ft. Chadbourne Foundation.

They've been hard at work ever since — and what hard work it is.

They have done a truly spectacular job. The officers' quarters and barracks have been fully restored, and the Richards have seen to it that authenticity and historical accuracy are the name of the game at Ft. Chadbourne. (Which can't always be said for some historic sites.) In fact, using good ol' ingenuity, Garland has developed a method for stabilizing these old structures without having to disassemble them first — a feat that architects who specialize in historic restoration said could not be done.

The officers' quarters and barracks are beautifully done, as the number of weddings that have been held here will attest. But one of the things that I found most intriguing was all of the "graffiti" on the walls. Previously hidden by layers and years of plaster, these 19th century hieroglyphs  were revealed during the restoration and tell the story of the folks who worked and lived among this frontier fort. Etched into the walls are names and dates and places. Running my hands across the chiseled remains, I wondered about the men who left their mark. Who were they? How long were they here? What became of them? Most are lost to history. But in these walls at Fort Chadbourne, Garland and Lana make sure they live on.

The Richards were in a celebratory mood during my visit, and with good cause. The week before I arrived, they were given a gift on behalf of the late Roberta Cole Johnson , a Brenham  resident who died in June at the age of 96. Garland and Lana received $1.1 million to help finish the restoration of the fort and the Butterfield stage stop. Two more deserving people could hardly be found. They have put their heart and soul and quite a bit of their own resources into this historic place, and their dedication has finally been recognized in a substantial way.

Once again my heartfelt congratulations go out to the Richards and to the Ft. Chadbourne Foundation . Ft. Chadbourne is in great hands.

The Butterfield stage stop is still in ruins, but — thanks to Mrs. Johnson's generous gift — will soon come alive again with the help of the Richard s' caring hands. It was really cool to be standing in those remains, knowing that at one time celerity wagons  full of mail and passengers and news clamored in and out of this very spot. Ormsby himself stood right where I was standing, exactly 150 years ago today.

I can't wait to see the outcome of this restoration, and I hope to visit again someday so that I can — maybe next May, when the Richards will host 1,500 elementary students for their Living History Day .

A trip to Ft. Chadbourne  would not be complete without visiting the herd of buffalo and Black Jack, the resident mule. Lana actually drove me into the buffalo field, and I was able to experience the rush of being in the presence of these magnificent beasts.

And magnificent they are ! I was overwhelmed by the experience. The bull of the group, Big Daddy, was massive. I've seen them in movies and at zoos from a distance, but to come face to face with a large bull like Big Daddy left me speechless, much to the disbelief of the folks who coordinate my blog posts. (That's for sure! —CR)

As we were shooting the video segment, I could hardly describe what I was feeling. Despite being fully aware of how unpredictable and dangerous they can be, I was taken with what gentle eyes they have. I understand why Native Americans revered and respected them so, and it was an experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Leaving Ft. Chadbourne was hard to do. I've visited many forts while I have been in Texas and all are wonderful places, but Ft. Chadbourne and Garland and Lana and Big Daddy will always have a special place in my heart. I hope everyone who visits West Texas  will stop in on the Richards for an experience they won't forget.

For more information on how you can help restore Ft. Chadbourne and its Butterfield stage stop, please visit the foundation website and tell them Casey sent you.

With Ms. Decker's class's mail and Lowell Elementary School's mail safe and accounted for, I am off to San Angelo.