First Concho River Legacy Trail Sculpture Arrives in San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX - The first sculpted piece of local history to be included in the Concho River Legacy Trail arrived in town earlier this December.

"Back from the Brink" is a slightly larger-than-life-size bronze sculpture depicting Mary Ann Goodnight bottle-feeding orphan buffalo calves.

This work of art will be on view at the San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts for the next month. This sculpture is the first of many that will eventually make up the Legacy Trail collection in Santa Fe Park in downtown San Angelo.

According to information, Mrs. Goodnight was the wife of famed rancher Charles Goodnight, namesake of the Goodnight Loving Trail. She is one of a small number of people responsible for preventing the extinction of the southern buffalo bison herd. The sculpture is owned by the Concho River Legacy Trail, but is on loan to SAMFA through January 21, 2026, when it will move to McNease Convention Center for a gala unveiling on January 22, 2026.

Tim Newton, Curator of the Trail, said it is very exciting to now have the first piece of the puzzle here in San Angelo.

“We were delighted to be able to acquire this piece of historic art as the beginning of the Trail collection," he stated. "The superb quality of this sculpture sets the tone and demonstrates high degree of artistic expression that will permeate the Trail Collection. The majority of the sculpture destined to be on the Trail will be commissioned specifically for the trial, but we were lucky to find this first piece already in existence and secure it as an anchor piece for the collection.”

SAMFA’s new Executive Director, Seth Hopkins, is pleased to have the artwork on loan.

“This is a beautiful work of art that tells a wonderful story associated with this area," he stated. "I predict it will be a favorite of many in San Angelo when it is installed on the Trail. To have the opportunity to show it here, even if only for a month, is a great opportunity."

Hopkins also noted SAMFA will be removing its admission fees beginning January 2, tying into the Museum’s tagline, “Art is for Everyone.”

The Concho River Legacy Trail is a five-year project to place larger than life bronze sculptures depicting the history of this area in the 1800s in downtown San Angelo. Sculptures will be specifically commissioned for each site on the trail by some of America’s greatest sculptors. Each work of art will depict a historical scene from San Angelo’s past and provide a fun and exciting way for future generations to learn about their history.

The San Angelo Museum of Fine Arts is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums. The museum is supported by generous contributions from both individuals and businesses. For more information about SAMFA, go to www.samfa.org.