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Bush, George W.

Crawford, Texas: A Town Transformed by the Presence of President Bush

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Crawford, a small town with about 800 residents, has undergone significant changes since 1999 when President Bush and his wife purchased the Prairie Chapel Ranch. The town, which was previously unknown to tourists, has gained a new level of prominence due to the president's frequent visits. As a result, tourism has grown from none to some, with visitors from all over the world flocking to the area.

Key Takeaways:

  • The presence of President Bush has transformed the town of Crawford, Texas, with tourism growing from none to some since 1999.
  • The town has undergone significant changes, including the opening of a new bank, filling of potholes, and renovation of dilapidated buildings into thriving businesses.
  • At least three gift shops now sell Bush souvenirs, ranging from patriotic artwork to talking dolls that emit phrases like "I'm going to head to Crawford after tonight."
  • The two-lane blacktop road to the president's ranch is closed to non-residents, with the airspace above the ranch off-limits and guarded by the Secret Service and Texas Department of Public Safety.
  • Some visitors have managed to get close to the president, including Shannon Pentico who saw his car leaving a press conference last summer.
  • Others have been turned away, including Nancy Lewis who was stopped by police about 5 miles from the roadblock while trying to drive by the ranch.
  • The Coffee Station, a local restaurant and gas station, is one of the best places to spot the president, who usually eats there once a day during his summer stay.

Statistics:

  • Since 1999, tourism in Crawford has grown from none to some, with visitors from all over the world flocking to the area.
  • The town has undergone significant changes, including the opening of a new bank and filling of potholes.
  • At least three gift shops now sell Bush souvenirs.
  • The airspace above the president's ranch is off-limits.
  • The Secret Service and Texas Department of Public Safety guard the road to the ranch and surrounding areas.
  • The president's security bubble includes a 5-mile radius around the ranch.

Sources:

  • Oren Dorell CRAWFORD, Texas --
  • Yellow Rose of Texas gift shop
  • Main Street Place gift shop
  • The Red Bull gift shop and art gallery, run by Jamie Burgess

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