J. C. Bird
Alpine, Brewster County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Julius Canselor Bird (1863-1925) was born in Round Mountain (Blanco Co.), and came to west Texas at age 18 as a Texas ranger, protecting crews during construction of the transcontinental railroad. J.C. then homesteaded and ranched on ten sections of land south of Alpine, along the drainage of Calamity and Ash Creeks. In 1885, he married America Walker, and the two raised Durham cattle on their ranch. J.C. later opened Alpine’s first Buick dealership. He was a charter member of First Baptist Church, and was instrumental in its financing and building. He was a founding member of the Paisano Baptist Encampment. After J. C. passed away on March 8, 1925, Mrs. Bird had a home built on Lockhart Avenue and moved to town.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Julius Canselor Bird came to West Texas at eighteen as a Texas Ranger, guarding crews building the transcontinental railroad, then homesteaded ten sections along Calamity and Ash Creeks south of Alpine. With his wife America Walker he raised Durham cattle, helped found and finance the First Baptist Church, and later opened Alpine's first Buick dealership — a life that spanned the region's leap from frontier to automobile age.
Why it matters
Bird's career from Ranger to rancher to car dealer traces in one lifetime the transformation of the West Texas frontier into a settled, modern community.
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Related people
- · Julius Canselor Bird
- · America Walker Bird
Themes & tags
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