Literary Legacy: Archer City Revitalizes with McMurtry Center

Archer City, Texas, a small ranching community, is experiencing a literary renaissance with the establishment of the Larry McMurtry Literary Center. This initiative aims to rekindle the town's status as a book lover's destination, a reputation first forged by the late Western author Larry McMurtry and his sprawling bookstore, 'Booked Up.' The center seeks to preserve McMurtry's profound legacy and extensive book collection, transforming his former establishment into a vibrant hub for writers and readers, and injecting new life into the local economy through literary tourism.

For years, Larry McMurtry, a celebrated Western writer known for works like 'Lonesome Dove,' nurtured a vision of turning his quiet hometown into a significant literary center. He succeeded in part by amassing over 400,000 rare and used books across four locations around the courthouse square, making 'Booked Up' a unique attraction. However, following McMurtry's death in 2021 at the age of 84, the bookstore ceased operations, and Archer City lost its primary source of tourist engagement.

The current endeavor to re-establish 'Booked Up' as the Larry McMurtry Literary Center is spearheaded by individuals like George Getschow, the executive director. Getschow, an acclaimed former journalist and educator, emphasizes the importance of preserving McMurtry's immense literary collection, which he describes as the heart of McMurtry's intellectual universe. The center's aspirations are grand, with directors hoping it will one day stand alongside esteemed literary landmarks such as William Faulkner's Rowan Oak in Mississippi and the National Steinbeck Center in California. The center operates on weekends and provides retreats for aspiring and established writers, fostering a new generation of literary talent within its hallowed walls.

McMurtry's attachment to 'Booked Up' was profound; he was married there, and his will stipulated that his ashes remain on the premises. His daily routine involved writing in the mornings and dedicating the rest of his day to curating, pricing, and annotating books, reflecting a deep passion that Getschow notes was unparalleled. Beyond his commitment to bookselling, McMurtry was a prolific author, with fifty fiction and non-fiction titles, and his works garnered significant acclaim, including a Pulitzer Prize for 'Lonesome Dove' and multiple Oscars for film adaptations like 'Terms of Endearment.'

The revival of McMurtry's bookstore has been warmly received by Archer City's local businesses. Mary Ann Wages, owner of Murn's Café, expressed relief and hope that the center will once again draw visitors from across the globe, as McMurtry's bookstore famously did. She fondly recalls McMurtry's visits to her café, where he would enjoy a cheeseburger and cherry pie, a testament to his down-to-earth nature despite his literary stature. McMurtry was known for his aversion to celebrity, preferring to be undisturbed by fans while dining, directing them to his bookstore for autographs.

The existing collection at the center, though reduced from its peak, still boasts over 80,000 titles. Challenges persist, however, as the building, a former Ford dealership, requires extensive renovations due to years of neglect. Kathy Floyd, the center's managing director, highlights issues such as water damage, a lack of proper heating and air conditioning, and the need for new plumbing and roofing. Despite these structural hurdles, the team is optimistic about the future, planning to add a writer's apartment and a lecture space once repairs are complete. Volunteers continue to unearth valuable first editions, underscoring the hidden treasures within McMurtry's uninventoried collection, offering a continuous source of excitement and potential funding for the center's restoration efforts.

McMurtry's portrayal of Archer City in his works, notably in 'The Last Picture Show,' often depicted the stark realities of small-town life, challenging idealized notions of the American West. He aimed to present an authentic, nuanced perspective, rather than perpetuating romanticized myths of cowboy culture, despite having grown up on a ranch himself. His friend, urban designer Sherry Kafka Wagner, noted McMurtry's intent to reveal the truth as he knew it. Jenny Schroeder, a native of Archer City and the center's volunteer coordinator, emphasizes the significance of McMurtry's connection to the town and his ranching roots, which provided rich material for his Western narratives. McMurtry himself famously articulated his role as a "herder of books and words," celebrating the life of the mind and the boundless world revealed through literature. The Larry McMurtry Literary Center stands as a testament to this enduring passion, striving to cultivate a new era of appreciation for books and foster a unique form of cultural exploration through literary travel.