9/29/07 Windmills, Prairie Dogs & Buddy Holly

We had a busy day today, we checked out the local attractions in Lubbock, Texas.

First stop was Prairie Dog Town.

Prairie Dog Town was established in Mackenzie Park in the early 1930’s by Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy N. Clapp. It was started with four dogs and two burrows and was the first protected prairie dog colony of its kind. In 1935, the colony was moved to it’s current location when Mackenzie Park became a state park. For his contribution to Lubbock and prairie dogs, Mr. Clapp was named Mayor of Prairie Dog Town in perpetuity.

Within its first five years at its new location, Prairie Dog Town became world famous and a favorite tourist attraction with its own Goodwill Ambassador, Prairie Dog Pete. To this day, Prairie Dog Town still captures the imagination of visitors. Prairie Dog Town as the 5th most visited attraction in Lubbock by visitors from outside the city.
These little guys are so cute, its no wonder.

Some have even migrated to the driving range next door.

A prairie dog burrow....or a hole in the ground.

Next stop on our sightseeing excursion was the Buddy Holly museum.

Charles Hardin Holley better known as Buddy Holly, was an American singer, songwriter, and a pioneer of rock and roll. The change of spelling of "Holley" to "Holly" came about because of an error in a contract he was asked to sign, listing him as Buddy Holly, That spelling was then adopted for his professional career.
Buddy Holly is considered one of the most influential founding fathers of rock 'n roll. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him #13 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Although his career was cut short, his work is considered among the finest in rock. His work and innovations were copied by his contemporaries and those who were to follow, including the Beatles and The Rolling Stones, and had a major influence on popular music.

We went inside and watched a short movie about his life and then went through the museum. Photography was not allowed. On display was the guitar he used when he wrote Peggy Sue Got Married, among others. School papers and report cards (he was a good student), his Cub Scout uniform and pictures from his youth were also there for our viewing. Record contracts, old 45rpm records, letters and other musical instruments were also displayed. A timeline was on the walls giving all the details of his music career and the music of that time.

One glass enclosed display case held the glasses he wore the night he was killed in the plane crash with Richie Valenz and J. P. Richardson, "The Big Bopper". They were recovered at the crash scene. He was just 22 years old when he died.

Back out in the parking lot of the Buddy Holly Center we saw this HUGE thing in the not too far distance.

We had to check out what it was and found our way to the American Wind Power Center....a windmill park!

Windmills of all descriptions are found on the grounds of this 28-acre site, donated in 1993 by the City of Lubbock to document the unique history of the windmill and its effect on early pioneers. The Windmill Center tells the story of how the windmill settled the West, giving access to underground water on land where there were no rivers, streams, or lakes. Currently the museum features 30 exhibits outside and 75 windmills inside, including one of the first all metal windmills and an early example from the 1800s.

A close up of the one we saw from a distance.

A view from inside the Windmill Center. Windmills in all shapes and sizes.

Windmills on the grounds.

So that was our sightseeing day in Lubbock, Texas. Hope you enjoyed following along.