Big Bend Saddlery
2701 East Hwy 90 Alpine, Tx 79830
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
We make only top quality products from the best materials that money can buy.
Free standard shipping in the U.S. on orders over $100
The hundred-year history of the Renderbrook Spade Ranch mirrors the history of ranching in West Texas, tracing ranching's evolution from an open-range, Longhorn-dominated industry to today's forward-looking specialized operations which survive by using state-of-the-art technology in genetics, nutrition, marketing and range science. The story is one of slow but steady progress from the horse-and-wagon era to the age of computers, crossbreeding and embryo transplants.
But the Spade is also unique. Its history is strongly tied to the development of barbed wire, that Yankee invention that forever changed the face of ranching in Texas. Established as an investment for earnings that barbed wire had brought to Illinois farmer-entrepreneur Isaac Ellwood, the ranch still belongs to Ellwood descendents. It is one of the few begun during the period between the Civil War and the turn of the century that remains in family hands by the 1980s.
In his foreword to this lively and fascinating history of a ranch and the people who made it, Elmer Kelton writes "That [the Spade] continues into a second century under the same family's ownership is a tribute to that family and to the many loyal employees whose labor, intelligence and devotion have kept it afloat during drouths and depressions that brought ruin to many similar ranches."
Paperback
Order with Confidence from Big Bend Saddlery. We make only top quality products from the best materials that money can buy. We stand behind all our products with a guarantee against defects in materials or workmanship. We want you to be 100% satisfied with any product you buy from Big Bend Saddlery. If not, simply return it to us for a credit, refund or exchange. Items eligible for returns must be received by to our store within 30 days and items must be new, unused and contain original product packaging and accessories. Some items are non-returnable such as CD's, DVD's, Video Tapes, Books, and Customized Items. Shipping charges will not be refunded unless we are at fault in shipping incorrect or damaged merchandise.
We stock or have access to many products not shown on our website, and would be happy to help you find anything that we can. We do custom leatherwork and custom silverwork.
As far as we can tell, our shop was opened in 1905. It was named for this area, the Big Bend Region of Texas, which got its name from the bend or turn made by the Rio Grande River just south of us. We are located in the Davis Mountains with the 800,000-acre Big Bend National Park to the south. We are a small shop located on the east side of Alpine, Texas with employees who feature personalized, friendly service. Let us help you any way we can.
Sign up for our Monthly Email Newsletter
Visit our blog for news and updates from the Big Bend Region
Monday - Friday
8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm