Everett Ewing Townsend

Born in Colorado County, Everett Ewing Townsend joined the Texas Rangers in 1890, and became a deputy United States Marshall in 1893, and then a U.S. customs mounted inspector the following year. In 1900, he took charge of a 200,000-acre unstocked ranch in Presidio County, developing it into a 14,000-head operation by 1916.  In 1918, he was elected Brewster County Sheriff, and in 1932 became Texas state representative.

With Robert Wagstaff, he 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.