Buffalo hides piled to the skies.
These were the big dreams of the pioneers who shaped what became the Big Country. And these are the subjects of the big paintings in many of the area's small towns, visual odes to their heritage. Murals in Big Country towns are almost as common as the school mascots painted high on the sides of water towers. In fact, the state Legislature has proclaimed Breckenridge, which has eight murals, more than any other Big Country community, the Mural Capitol of Texas. The declaration, signed this month by Gov. Rick Perry, may mean nothing more than a tiny claim to fame, but city officials proudly tout the distinction.