Everett Ewing Townsend

Everett Ewing Townsend, a Texas Ranger, Deputy U.S. Marshall, and Brewster County Sheriff, was also the Texas state representative who co-authored the bill establishing the Texas Canyon State Park in 1933. The State Park was the precursor to Big Bend National Park, which opened in 1944. Known as the “Father of Big Bend National Park”, Townsend was also key in creating a camp for the Civilian Conservation Corps to develop the park, as well as in appraising and acquiring much of the land for the park. Townsend Point, a prominent peak in the Chisos Mountains, is named in his honor.