Eclipse watchers gather at Ogletree Gap for festival, eclipse viewing

By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press

The clouds parted just in time on Monday to offer a once-in-a-lifetime celestial event as the moon covered the sun, treating spectators in Copperas Cove to an awe-inspiring view of the total solar eclipse.

Viewers at Copperas Cove’s Ogletree Gap Park, both local and from out-of-state “oohed” and “aahed” with some shouting out in excitement at the moment of totality. Many captured stunning photographs while others lived in the moment, knowing that it is likely the only total solar eclipse they will ever see.

For those viewing the total solar eclipse at Ogletree Gap Park, the eclipse event had additional historical significance.

The last total solar eclipse experienced in this area was July 29, 1878. The old stagecoach stop (which also served as the Ogletree family home, a store, and a year later as a post office) was being built at that time (it was finished in August 1878), and it is very likely that those people were sitting in the same area as those viewing the eclipse at Ogletree Gap Park in 2024—nearly 146 years ago!

Members of the Copperas Cove Historical Society opened up the old stagecoach stop giving tours of the historical building and selling a few items in their own mini shop outside.

“This is where Copperas Cove started,” said Raymond Payne, Vice President of the Copperas Cove Historical Society. “I think that having an event like this gives Copperas Cove the opportunity to show what we have to offer.”

The group sold small candy items, toys, and other things to raise money for their group. One of their big sellers was a special poster with a print of their original artwork celebrating the eclipse.

Members of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce made sure to make the eclipse event at Ogletree Gap into an experience, holding Camp Totality from April 5-9. They offered RV parking and campsites, along with entertainment, market vendors, lawn games, food trucks, a petting zoo, tours of the old stagecoach stop, and live bands each evening. Entry was free, and the event was open to the public.

Originally, they planned to charge $10 per carload from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. each day, but participation at the event was much lower than expected and the chamber wanted to give the vendors a chance to make as much money as possible and to give a fun time to as many people as possible, so the parking fee was waived starting on Saturday afternoon.

In addition to Texas, visitors from states to include Maine, Oregon, Florida, Arizona, California, and more made the trip to Copperas Cove and Ogletree Gap.

Tom and Jeanne Street came from Houston to watch the eclipse, having seen the 2017 eclipse in Arizona.

“It was so fast we wanted to see another one,” said Tom Street.

“Watch the shadow,” advised Jeanne Street commenting on how fast it will come upon you. “You feel like you’re swallowed by a whale.”

She said that there are so many things to watch during an eclipse and it is so quick and awe-inspiring that you won’t be able to see it all. Jeanne Street said that overall seeing an eclipse is a great experience and it is even better when you have nice things to do while waiting for it. The Street family enjoyed experiencing everything that Camp Totality had to offer.

Lenora Miko and Ed Baker drove down to Copperas Cove from Poconos, Pennsylvania, bringing some very expensive telescopes and camera equipment. Ultimately, they left Saturday afternoon to head to Indiana because of the predicted weather.

“We thought this would be perfect…We’re sad that we’re leaving,” said Ed Baker on Saturday. “We got here last night. We enjoyed the music. Everyone was really friendly.”

Baker said that for him, viewing the eclipse was an adventure, and he was looking forward to getting some amazing shots in Indiana.

However, Tom Aldridge and his family, who came in from Olympia, Washington, risked the potentially poor viewing conditions and were rewarded with some truly spectacular photographs of the eclipse and some amazing memories.

“This was beyond expectation!” said Aldridge. “This was great. I got kind of emotional.”

Aldridge attended Camp Totality with his wife Vada Aldridge, and their son, Leland Aldridge who teaches physics at Minnesota State University.

They spent the weekend camping out in their RV and said that they loved the hospitality and the food at Camp Totality. They liked that the park offered a wide open, natural area for eclipse viewing.

“The people from Copperas Cove who put this on and the people who came out here were all very friendly,” said Aldridge.

“I cried. I did. This is such an amazing thing,” said Beth Galick-Carney, president of the Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce moments after totality ended. “I’ve never seen anything like it! The clouds almost made it better.”

“I was surprised it made me cry, but it was overwhelming,” said Galick-Carney. “Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Even if the turnout wasn’t what we expected—or even what Copperas Cove expected—the vibe here out on the preserve and being with nature made it really special. Everyone seemed to enjoy it.”