Come Discover Why San Angelo is the Official Home of Cowboys and Creatives

What Began As a Frontier Fort Is Now a Seamless Integration of West Texas Culture and New West Creativity

In 1867, the U.S. Army set up a frontier fort close to the three branches of the Concho River that runs right through the middle of what is now San Angelo. When Fort Concho was first established, the landscape of modern-day San Angelo was used as a place to water cattle on the long drives north and east to market. Not long after, a group of farmers and ranchers decided to build a small town on the other side of the river from the Fort to establish businesses and encourage people from miles around to stop in on their travels, and to give the troops at Fort Concho a place to go when they had time away from their post. Like many towns at the time, it was a town of whiskey and sin, but because of the vision of the original innovators, it became a place where roots could penetrate the hard Texas soil, and grow into a city that provides a unique experience at every turn.

Cowboys and Creatives

Creativity Flows Through Our Veins

San Angelo is the Visual Arts Capital of Texas, a designation we treasure and continue to build on year after year. From open air museums and public artwork donated by Art In Uncommon Places to the beautiful San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts and eclectic Chicken Farm Art Center, San Angelo’s art scene is unlike any other city in Texas.

Beyond artwork, the creative waters in San Angelo still flow through one of a kind crafted boots, belts, and jewelry from the original M.L. Leddy’s, Legend Jewelers and so much more.

The walkability of San Angelo from the San Angelo Visitor Center to Downtown is unmatched. Take a stroll along our riverwalk, and you’ll see public art displays at just about every turn, all while enjoying the outdoors with fantastic weather throughout the year.

San Angelo was the Wool and Mohair Capital of the world for many years, and to pay homage to that, the Downtown San Angelo Sheep Spectacular was born. Today, there are over 160 sheep statues scattered throughout the city, each adorned with an artist’s personal touch to celebrate businesses, organizations and our agricultural heritage. Sheep maps will take you to each one of them, and it’s a tour worth taking, just to see creativity on full display.

Should’ve Been A Cowboy

When you think of cowboys, many people think of cattle, boots, buckles, hats and spurs. While all of that is absolutely paramount to the cowboy culture, San Angelo also embraces the true spirit of the cowboy with grit, loyalty, hard work, tradition and genuine hospitality. Walk into any local restaurant, business or event, and you’ll be greeted with a smile, a handshake and a sense of belonging that you won’t find elsewhere.

It doesn’t stop there, though. For 94 years, the San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo has been a staple of the community, and in the days of broadcast television, record payouts for contestants and stock show participants, San Angelo is in a class of elite events from across the country. Beginning in February with the Stock Show, and coming back in April for the Rodeo, San Angelo kicks into high gear, and it’s definitely the place to be! Additionally, San Angelo has been unofficially dubbed the Tie Down Roping Capital of the world, and three of the top cowboys in the world in this event are from right here in San Angelo. Ty Harris, Joel Braden Harris and Dylan Hancock have become household names in the sport of rodeo, and San Angelo is proud to be called home by them.

So, pull on your boots, and get ready for a wild ride! We’re happy to welcome you to San Angelo and show you how we happily embrace the true spirit of the cowboy.

Annual San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo

Get Here, and We’ll Handle the Rest

If you’re looking for a place that offers a relaxed atmosphere or high flying excitement, or a touch of both, San Angelo will be here with open arms.

You might be so excited right now, you’re already jumping in your car, but wait! You need to book a room first! It just so happens that San Angelo has an abundance of places to stay, from reliable hotel chains to mom-and-pop hospitality.