| Doyle
Phillips was born 22 March 1939 in Big
Spring, Texas -- and it never left him, wherever he roamed. So it was
with many people who grew up in the 1950s in Big
Spring; it’s not exactly a pride in the place that lingers in them,
but rather more a pride of place. There was much to laud in those days.
Originally, the city came into being because of the "big spring of the Colorado
River" situated at the juncture of three great geophysical features. Prehistoric
creatures are abundant in the fossil record of the region. Paleolithic nomads
hunted gigantic game thereabout. Amerinds passed through repeatedly harvesting
flora and fauna around (now-dry) lakes and springs. The historic array of Spaniards,
Mexicans, Texas Rangers, cavalry, outlaws, buffalo hunters and cowboys knew the
big spring as the finest of resorts. How could such a rich past not capture and
hold the interest of people who took root here?
And so whatever skills
Phillips acquired before leaving Big Spring and those augmented by his sojourn
in Mexico, Colorado, California, Europe and New Mexico have now been directed
toward the documentation of the history of Howard County. He has produced numerous
books, videos, posters, poems and photos -- all related to the region -- since
his return in 1993.
He works as a free-lance graphic designer, salesman
and when the spirit moves he spends a little time at The History Store, his little
tiendita in one of Big
Spring’s oldest buildings. |
