Once upon a time, in a small town nestled deep within the heart of Texas, there lived a legendary figure by the name of Chester Starbuck Parks. Starbuck as he was affectionately known, was a man of many talents and remarkable adventures that shaped his extraordinary life.

As a young Texan on his dad’s ranch, he was responsible for many a task!  Starting in the early dawn hours, as it was back in the day, he was up and at ‘em to milk the cows, feed the yardbirds and gather the sheep for the occasional shearing of their wool.  He always sought new experiences and challenges and as fate would have it, because of his notoriety as the fastest sheep shearer in the area, he became a star pupil at the Dewey Pentecost Sheep Shearing Company, the first of its kind in Texas. Starbuck became an expert with the shears, effortlessly guiding them through wool with precision and finesse.  Because of his efficiency with the rudimentary clippers, Dewey himself honored Starbuck with the very shears that once saved his own life, during a saloon brawl. 

Starbuck was a huge influence to Big John’s son, Charles and shared his father’s love for the land but had a passion for a different kind of horsepower. He possessed an iron horse known as Golden TBird, an exquisite relic passed down through generations. Starbuck, Big John, and Charles ventured across the Northern Plains, keeping peace on their ranch, tending to herds of cattle and flocks of sheep (where Starbuck’s shearing skills proved invaluable for harvesting to make sweaters for the cold nights), and patrolling the borders of their vast property.

Starbuck was a huge influence to Big John’s son, Charles and shared his father’s love for the land but had a passion for a different kind of horsepower. He possessed an iron horse known as Golden TBird, an exquisite relic passed down through generations. Starbuck, Big John, and Charles ventured across the Northern Plains, keeping peace on their ranch, tending to herds of cattle and flocks of sheep (where Starbuck’s shearing skills proved invaluable for harvesting to make sweaters for the cold nights), and patrolling the borders of their vast property.

It was during these long, perilous nights that fate brought them together with Chief Joseph Blackhawk, a Native American drifter who wandered the high plains. Chief Joseph introduced Starbuck and his companions to a remedy for the weary nights—a coffee like no other. This extraordinary brew consisted of coffee beans roasted extra-long, ground to a pulp, and then roasted again. The taste was bold and invigorating, fueling their spirits as they protected the land under the canopy of star-filled nights.

Starbuck’s travels took him to captivating destinations such as Egypt, South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, and wherever his heart desired. He immersed himself in diverse cultures, absorbing knowledge and forging connections with people from all walks of life. Starbuck believed that true fulfillment came from making the world a better place, and he strived to leave a positive impact on the people he encountered. 

It was this altruistic attitude and adventurous resolve that caught the eye of a petite beauty named Jennifer.  He was enamored by her captivating smile, her eye for detail, her respect for wine, and her love for all things Texas.  They quickly married and lived life to the fullest by traveling the earth, to add destination patches and décor to their travel chests (visible for all to see in the foyer of the saloon).

Driven by his profound inspiration and deep appreciation for those who touched his soul, Starbuck’s descendant, Jparks, conceptualized, planned, and built Jparks Saloon & Standard. He carried Starbuck’s spirit within him, embodying the principles of kindness, respect, and a relentless pursuit of improving the lives of others.

Jparks understood the significance of Starbuck’s legacy and sought to create a rustic yet quaint setting—a saloon that served food and captured the essence of Starbuck’s adventurous spirit. The walls of the saloon were adorned with relics and memorabilia from Starbuck’s remarkable life, including the cherished floor register, a symbol of familial connection and the roots that shaped him.

Jparks believed that each person held the power to make a difference in this world. Inspired by Starbuck’s mantra—”If we truly have this one existence on this planet, and we don’t take this one existence to make it better for the people around us, what the hell are we doing?”—Jparks Saloon & Standard became a gathering place where people could come together, share stories, enjoy delicious meals, and draw inspiration from Starbuck’s extraordinary journey.  And so, the story of Chester Starbuck Parks lives on, weaving its way into the fabric of the saloon, where patrons can step back in time and experience a taste of adventure and inspiration. In this rustic haven, Starbuck’s spirit lingers, encouraging all who visit to leave a mark on the world and make it a better place, just as he did during his awe-inspiring lifetime.