Legends and Stories of the Big Bend Area
Alpine Avalanche January 31, 1924
The new natatorium now nearing completion on the campus north of the main building will be named Hancock Pool, according to a recent announcement by President Morelock. The pool is named in honor of Mr. W. B. Hancock, pioneer cattleman, merchant and banker of Alpine who has been closely identified with the development of the Big Bend Country, and more recently with Sul Ross College.
Mr. Hancock was born in Lavaca County in 1860, and came to Alpine to engage in the cattle business December 1884. "I shall never forget the first time I ever saw College Heights," says Mr. Hancock. "We unloaded our cattle at the S.P. switch, and let them drift around the base of the hill for the night. They "bedded down" near where the college now stands.
When Mr. Hancock came to Alpine there were fewer than a half-dozen people here who are here today. Among them are Mr. And Mrs. Bird, Dave Walker, and Mrs. Harrison. The town consisted chiefly of two mercantile establishments and three saloons. The saloons did the principal business, sometimes functioning as banks.
Mr. Hancock established the first drug store in Alpine, erected the first brick business-the present home of the Post Office-has held several public offices and was a director of the first bank established here.
He is among the public-spirited citizens whose vision and determination have made possible a college in this section. He gave the college a hundred acres of land for a campus and has in many ways proved his friendship for the institution. It is fitting that his name should become a tradition among the members of the college community.
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