ALPINE — Historic ghost tours of downtown Alpine will take place at 8 p.m. on April, 13, 14 and 15.
The event, a collaboration between the Alpine Historical Association (AHA) and Sul Ross State University’s theatre program, is appropriate for children 8 and up. All proceeds from the tours will be donated to Sul Ross State University Theatre scholarships — last year, the program’s inaugural year, a little over $5,000 was raised.
“When I started AHA in January 2021, it was one of the first things on my agenda, as it is a great way to share the history of Alpine’s historic buildings and families with our visitors,” said Abbey Branch, president of the Alpine Historic Association. “While initially we intended to provide a traditional ghost tour, it has evolved to a historical and theatrical production with some comic relief.”
Tours begin at the Reata Alpine with a “spooky drink” from the Reata bar, and are led by Bret Scott, associate professor of communications at SRSU, who spent a decade at Second City in Chicago. Stops at historical landmarks such as the Brewster County Courthouse, the Alpine Avalanche building and the Ritchey Hotel are enlivened by occasional glimpses of restless spirits, some of whom gain the courage as the tour progresses to share their recollections of some of the dramatic historical events of Alpine and the region.
“The tours promote the rich history of Alpine while also enjoying some ghost stories from the
Big Bend region,” said Marjie Scott, ghost tour director and chair of the Sul Ross Fine Arts
Department. “And there may be some actual ghost sightings too.”
Following the tour, guests are invited to enjoy a complimentary nightcap at The Holland, one of the four famous Far West Texas hotels designed by Henry C. Trost, who designed the Gage in Marathon, The Paisano in Marfa and Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn as well as the first floor of the famous Driskill in Austin.
The Alpine Historic Association and Sul Ross’ theatre department have another collaboration planned this fall that will tell the story of Alpine’s Hispanic Heritage.
Ticket prices for the ghost tours are $20 for adults and $18 for children 8 years and up, students with student ID and seniors 65 and up.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit historicalpine.org/ghost-tours/