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Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

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Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

Restore the Ritchey

mattie matthaei
mattie matthaei
mattie matthaei
mattie matthaei
1 Campaign |
Alpine, United States
$5,880 USD 37 backers
6% of $85,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Overview
Built in 1886, the walls of the Hotel Ritchey absorbed a century of stories from cowboys, ranchers, railroad workers, and other West Texas characters, before being abandoned in the 1970s. This Texas historic landmark deserves a new lease on life. Join us in the restorion of this important part of our town's past. aHelp us open the doors once again as a vital social hub for the Big Bend region.

The historic Hotel Ritchey has waited patiently for a new life and new purpose for nearly half a century. It is one of Alpine's oldest buildings and the last to be renovated as part of the revitalization of Murphy Street, the heart of Alpine's historically Latino business district. Help make this treasure a crown jewel of the Big Bend region once again. With your support, the Ritchey owner Mattie Matthaie can finish structural repairs, electrical upgrades, install plumbing--which the building has never had--and reconstruct the two-story porch, which will have the best mountain sunset views in Alpine. Together we can turn the Ritchey into a community arts and performance space as well as a modern day saloon, serving coffee, wine, beer and locally prepared food.

The Ritchey will be a social hub where locals and visitors alike will want to start their day with coffee and later kick off their boots after a day working on a ranch or hiking in Big Bend. It's expansive, adobe-walled courtyard is the perfect setting for parties, live performances, and outdoor film screenings. Marrying the best of Alpine's past and present, the Ritchey will showcase the rich history and vibrant arts scene of far West Texas. 

HISTORY OF THE RITCHEY

The Hotel Ritchey was built in 1886 across from the Southern Pacific train station and cattle-loading pens that were the commercial heart of Alpine, Texas. First name the City Hotel, the building was sturdily constructed with 18-inch adobe bricks and cypress wood framing. For almost a century it offered a bed for the night, stiff drinks and home-cooked meals to ranchers, cowhands, and railroad workers. Cowboys used to have shooting contests on the balcony by taking aim at silver dollars on the stockyard pens across the street. It is rumored that the back of the hotel was once a bordello. The Ritchey's walls have witnessed a lot. Despite being designated a Texas Historic Landmark in 1965, the Ritchey was abandoned in the 1970s. 

ABOUT MATTIE MATTHAEI

I was a successful builder and developer in Austin before moving to the Big Bend region 7 years years ago. Most of my career has been spent restoring old buildings, so I immediately fell for this shuttered, Old West relic when I first arrived in Alpine. I have reached the limits of what I can personally do to restore the Ritchey. The building has been so neglected that banks won't touch it, so now I need your support to finish saving it.


VIDEO CREDITS

DIRECTOR, EDITOR & DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Megan Wilde

AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHER: Tim Wilde

CAMERA AND SOUND ASSISTANTS: Tim Wilde and Avram Dumitrescu

HISTORIC PHOTOS: Courtesy of the Archives of the Big Bend, with help from David Keller

MUSIC BY

"Spaghetti Western Showdown" by AudioMint

"Toi Dedans" by Löhstana

"Rackin It Back" by Cliff Bruner & The Texas Wanderers

SPECIAL THANKS TO: Big Bend HoopersSul Ross State University Ballet Folklorico, Pumpkin & Heidi of Wasserman WranchMarlys Hersey, David Keller, Big Bend Flash Mob, Elena Hernandez-Peña, Amy Oxenham, Elliott Ybarra, Amy & Nathan Struthers, the Wilde & Struthers Tea Party Girls, Cowgirl Kellie Straw, and Justine.

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Choose your Perk

Website Recogniton

$25 USD
We will add your name to our list of supporters on our website.
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
4 claimed
Ships to United States of America

25% off gift certificate

$50 USD
Your name will be added to our thank you list of supporters on our website and you will receive 25% off your total bill at our saloon establishment.
Estimated Shipping
January 2017
3 claimed
Ships to United States of America

25% off gift certificate

$100 USD
We will add your name to our list of supporters on our website and you will receive 25% off on your first and second visit to our saloon establishment.
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
1 claimed

25% off Gift Certificate

$200 USD
You will be added to our list of supporters on our website and you will receive 25% off gift certificate for three visits to our saloon establishment.
Estimated Shipping
February 2017
0 claimed
Ships to United States of America

Dedicated Courtyard Stone

$300 USD
Your name will be added to our website list of supporters. In addition, your name will be added to one of the limestone that will become a permanent part of our courtyard seating area.
Estimated Shipping
June 2017
1 claimed

Overnight stay

$500 USD
Stay with us for a night in one of our rustic and charming cabins at the Laughing Horse Ranch just outside of Alpine, Texas nestled in the mountains under the big Texas sky. Your name will also be added to our website list of supporters.
Estimated Shipping
March 2017
0 claimed

Private Party and Engraving

$2,500 USD
For an evening you can have the entire Ritchey, including the historic saloon and outdoor courtyard as well as the outdoor stage, for a private event. We will provide service though the food and beverage sales would be separate. And we will engrave your name or the name of a loved one on one of our courtyard benches.
Estimated Shipping
July 2017
0 claimed

Private Party Plus!

$5,000 USD
For an evening you can have the entire Ritchey, including the historic saloon and outdoor courtyard as well as the outdoor stage, for a private event. We will provide catered food for up to 25 people and overnight stay for up to 6 at the Laughing Horse Ranch. Your name will be added to our website list of supporters. And we will engrave your name or the name of a loved one on one of our courtyard benches.
Estimated Shipping
July 2017
0 claimed

Private Party Plus Plus!

$10,000 USD
For an evening you can have the entire Ritchey, including the historic saloon and outdoor courtyard as well as the outdoor stage. We will make this party extra special with a 5 course meal for up to 20 prepared by our renowned chef and pared with the finest wine offerings. We will entertain you with live music and provide overnight stay for up to 6 at the Laughing Horse Ranch. And we will engrave your name or the name of a loved one on a plaque on our stage.
Estimated Shipping
July 2017
0 claimed

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