house remained in the W.E. Baird family until 1967 when it was presented to the city. It is furnished with period pieces. In Pioneer Park on the north side of Winkler County Park. 432/586-2507.
LAJITAS POP. 200 (est.)
ALT. 2,440 MAP R-6
On F.M. 170, Lajitas (La-HEE-tahs) is at the western edge of Big Bend National Park. It first became a village in 1915 when an Army post was established to protect the area from Mexican bandit Francisco (Pancho) Villa. Developments feature a modern motel and resort
with a golf course, river rafting, swimming pools, tennis courts, horseback riding, restaurant, fitness facility, shopping and stargazing (877/525-4827.
www.lajitas
golfresort.com).
BARTON WARNOCK VISITOR CENTER—This center showcases the Chihuahuan Desert with an English/ Spanish exhibit and a two-acre botanical garden. Five biological landscapes converge in this vast desert. In- cludes a bookstore. This is the eastern visitor center for Big Bend Ranch State Park. Admission charge. East of Lajitas on F.M. 170. 432/424-3327.
www.tpwd.
state.tx.us/state-parks/barton-warnock.
LANGTRY POP. 30 (est.)
ALT. 1,315 MAP Q-10
By the Rio Grande, this village was established in 1881. Two origins of town’s name exist. One credits the town name to a civil engineer named Langtry who directed a group of Chinese laborers in railroad construction. But colorful Judge Roy Bean insisted he named town after his idol, English actress Lillie Langtry, the “Jersey Lilly.” Primitive camping is available along the Devils River at Baker’s Crossing (432/292-4503).
JUDGE ROY BEAN VISITOR CENTER—This is one of the 12 Texas Travel Information Centers operated by the Texas Department of Transportation for the convenience of the traveling public. The center features the historic site where Judge Roy Bean ruled with his high-handed brand of homespun law, outrageous humor and six-shooter justice. The site includes a rustic saloon, courtroom, billiard hall and the opera house from the 1880s. The adjacent visitor center interprets highlights of Judge Bean’s career in “The Magic of Pepper’s Ghost Revealed” where dioramas come to life with historic re-enactments. Off U.S. 90 West/State Loop 25 at Torres Avenue in
Langtry. Located 60 miles west of Del Rio. 432/291-3340.
www.txdot.gov.
SCENIC OVERLOOK—Travelers can pause and picnic in a roadside park by U.S. 90 on the east rim of the Pecos River canyon, about 18 miles east of Langtry. The spectacular view provides insight into the difficulties faced by pioneers who had to negotiate the crossing without a bridge.
SEMINOLE CANYON STATE PARK AND HISTORIC SITE—Ancient pictographs, rugged limestone terrain and spectacular canyons lure visitors to the site. Visitors hike rugged landscapes, take guided tours to see the renowned pictographs, camps in tents or RVs, and learn more at the park’s interpretive museum. Admission charge. Off U.S. 90, about 20 miles east of Langtry. 432/292-4464.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/seminole-canyon.
MARATHON POP. 456
ALT. 4,043
MARATHON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
www.marathontexas.com.
Marathon’s name was suggested by a sea captain who said the area reminded him of Marathon, Greece. Visitors can glimpse the town’s colorful past at the Marathon Museum,
101 MAP P-7
at North Third Street and Avenue E, and the old Marathon Jail at South Second Street and Avenue C. The town hosts West Fest—with a cabrito cook-off—in September, and the Fiesta de la Noche Buena takes place in early December.
BLACK GAP WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA—The 100,000 acres are devoted to the management of native wildlife. Visitors are welcome, though formal tours are not available. Permit hunting and fishing in Rio Grande is al- lowed at specified times. Camping area is for authorized hunters and fishermen only. South 55 miles via U.S. 385 and R.M. 2627. 432/837-3251.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/ huntwild/hunt/wma/.
HISTORIC INN—Gage Hotel—Restored 1920s hotel has original pine floors and woodwork. U.S. 90 in Marathon.
www.gagehotel.com.
THE POST—Five miles south of town on the Post Road lies what remains of old Fort Pena Colorado, built in 1879. Abandoned in 1893, some of the foundations of the origi- nal structures can still be found. The site is a public park, popular for picnics and birding.
MARFA POP. 2,007
ALT. 4,688 MAP P-5
MARFA VISITOR CENTER: 302 S. Highland Ave. 432/729-4772.
www.visitmarfa.com.
Marfa was established in 1881 as a water stop for the Texas and New Orleans Railroad. In 1955, the El Paisano Hotel served as the base of operations for filmmaker George Stevens while filming the movie “Giant.” Marfa Municipal Golf Course, the highest golf course
in Texas, is situated at 4,882 feet above sea level. The nine-hole course boasts a 360-degree view of mountains and open range. At the end of Golf Course Road. 432/729-4043. Strong thermal updrafts and legendary soaring condi-
tions make this an outstanding location for glider rides. Marfa Gliders: 800/667-9464.
www.flygliders.com.
CHINATI FOUNDATION/LA FUNDACION CHINATI— An art museum founded by the late artist Donald Judd is dedicated to the creation and preservation of permanent installations of large-scale works or large groups of work by a small number of artists. It is on the 340-acre site of the former Fort D.A. Russell. Accessible by guided tour only. 1 Cavalry Row. Just off U.S. 67 south of Marfa. 432/729-4362.
www.chinati.org.
MARFA & PRESIDIO COUNTY MUSEUM—In the Humphris House, an 1880s adobe home, the museum displays memorabilia from the film “Giant,” an exhibit on the Chihuahuan Desert, local military and county history, and a collection of panoramic photography by Frank Duncan. 110 U.S. 90 W. 432/729-4772.
MARFA MYSTERY LIGHTS VIEWING CENTER—First reported by early settlers in 1883, the mysterious lights still defy explanation. The center features a viewing deck; rest room; and information about the Marfa lights, local flora and fauna. About eight miles east of Marfa on U.S. 67/90.
www.visitmarfa.com.
PRESIDIO COUNTY COURTHOUSE—Built in 1886, this elegant domed structure is topped by the Goddess of Jus- tice. Take the elevator or stairs to the cupola, and enjoy a 360-degree view that includes the Marfa Plateau and the Davis Mountains. 301 N. Highland Ave. 432/729-4812.
www.visitmarfa.com.
McCAMEY POP. 1,916
ALT. 2,441 MAP N-9
In 1925, an oil driller named George McCamey hit a gusher. In less than a year, it became a brawling boom town of 10,000. A growing number of wind-turbine generators can be seen on the surrounding mesas.
BIG BEND COUNTRY
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