During World War II, a young doctor named William E. Lockhart Jr. served in the 30th Evacuation Hospital in New Guinea and the Philippines. From the jungles of the Southwest Pacific, he detailed his dreams to his wife, Lora Bell, for a clinic and hospital to serve the small community of Alpine in the Big Bend region of Texas. After the war, they were able to put dreams into reality, and on August 15, 2026, the Lockhart Clinic-Hospital celebrated its 80th birthday. The Lockhart Family intends to hold an open house to capture the historic legacy of not just the building itself, but also the lives of “Doctor Bill” and Lora Bell Lockhart.

We’re sending out the plan to everyone who has a connection to the Lockharts or to “The Clinic” and may want to be a part of this legacy project. Maybe you were born in the building or received care from Dr. Lockhart when you were sick or injured. Perhaps you grew up in the community they served as a family physician, as elected officials, as a musician, and as social activists for over 50 years. Or more recently, perhaps you were a guest in the small Airbnb of Lockhart Hacienda, now in operation for 9 years, and you expressed interest in the history of this place and time.

We welcome friends and extended family members to be a part of this, contributing whatever they can in funds or ideas and suggestions (even your encouragement would be most welcome). So here’s what we are planning:

Our Project

* Alpine recently established a Federal Historic Downtown District, and through our efforts the half-block on which the building is located was included. Next to our building is the First Presbyterian Church, founded 1889, with the latest structure now over 80 years old. Next to that is the Carr-Slight house, an adobe home built in 1883. So at least half of the city block includes historic homes and institutions.

* We intend to seek Brewster County and Texas State Historical Markers for the building for which we will submit an application in 2027.

* We are members of the Alpine Historical Association and will be working with them on the above two projects and on other projects related to the history and legacy of Alpine, Big Bend, and the Lockhart family.

* There will be at least one, perhaps two, murals painted on the building front depicting the Lockhart legacy in the Big Bend region of Texas. Downtown Alpine, a great place for walking, has 2 walking tours, one of historic homes and buildings and another of murals. We hope to participate in those walking tours.

* We will be restoring interior woodwork and furniture. Befitting a hospital built in the 1940s, the Lockhart Clinic-Hospital interior includes large, beautiful wood doors obtained from Mexico (the only source available during wartime economic restraints).

* We will be replacing some plumbing fixtures like 80-year-old leaky faucets for which parts no longer exist. In addition, there are some leaks in the 20-year-old metal roof that will be resealed.

* Under this project, in the era of climate change, we will be weatherizing for the future. The 5,000 sq ft attic requires some additional flooring and insulation. A landing will be constructed for the attic entrance.

* Meanwhile, we will continue to pay the property taxes and insurance, ever increasing due to the location in the center of Alpine.

* Much of the labor for this project will be our own with professionals as needed for isolated projects.

We are fundraising to preserve and enhance the historic Lockhart Clinic-Hospital, ensuring it remains a vital part of Alpine's heritage.