Developments feature a modern motel and resort
with a golf course, river rafting, swimming pools, ten- nis 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.texas. gov/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. Call 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 conve- nience of the traveling public. It features a rustic sa- loon, courtroom, billiard hall and the opera house of Judge Roy Bean, the “Law West of the Pecos” in the 1880s. The center preserves the historic site where Judge Bean ruled with his high-handed brand of home- spun law, outrageous humor and six-shooter justice. The adjacent visitor center interprets Judge Bean’s ca- reer. U.S. 90 West/State Loop 25 at Torres Avenue in Langtry. Off U.S. 90 West, 60 miles west of Del Rio. 432/291-3340 or 800/452-9292.
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 spec- tacular 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. Visi- tors hike rugged landscapes, take guided tours to see the renowned pictographs, camp 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.texas.gov/ state-parks/seminole-canyon.
MARATHON POP. 451
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 His- torical Museum, at North Third Street and Avenue E, and the old jail at South Second Street and Avenue C. The town hosts West Fest—with a cabrito cook-off—in Septem- ber and the Fiesta de la Noche Buena in early December.
BLACK GAP WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA—The 100,000 acres are devoted to the management study of native wildlife. Visitors are welcome, though formal tours are not available. Permit hunting and fishing are allowed in the Rio Grande at specified times. Camping area is for authorized hunters and fishermen only. South 55 miles via U.S. 385 and R.M. 2627 432/364- 2228.
http://tpwd.texas.gov/huntwild/hunt/wma/.
HISTORIC INN—Gage Hotel—Restored 1920s hotel has original pine floors and woodwork. U.S. 90 in Marathon.
www.gagehotel.com.
POST PARK—Five miles south of town on the Post Road lies what remains of old Camp Pena Colorado,
222 MAP P-7
The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum collection in Midland includes Tom Lovell’s work.
built in 1879. Abandoned in 1893, some of the founda- tions of the original structures can still be found. The site is a public park, popular for picnics and birding.
www.marathontexas.com.
MARFA POP. 1,976
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 moun- tains and open range. At the end of Golf Course Road. 432/729-4043. Strong thermal updrafts and legendary soaring con-
ditions make this an outstanding location for glider rides. Marfa Gliders:
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 perma- nent 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 Hum- phris House, an 1880s adobe home, the museum dis- plays 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 view- ing 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 Justice. Take the elevator or stairs to the cupola, and enjoy a 360-degree view that includes the Marfa Pla- teau and the Davis Mountains. 301 N. Highland Ave. 432/729-4812.
www.visitmarfa.com.
MCCAMEY POP. 1,860
ALT. 2,454 MAP N-9
MCCAMEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITORS CENTER: 201 E. 6th St. 432/652-8202.
www.mccameychamberofcommerce.com.
Wildcatter George B. McCamey established this oil boom town in 1925, with the first gusher drawing 10,000 people. Still an oil town, McCamey’s skyline is now highlighted by giant wind-turbines on surrounding mesas. An annual barbecue cook-off and festival in late September celebrates McCamey as the “Wind Energy Capital of Texas.” The town is part of La Entrada Al Pacifico Trade Corridor and is located on the Historic Texas Pecos Trail.
MCCAMEY VETERANS MEMORIAL—Dedicated in 2013, the Wall of Honor, Eternal Flame, Circle of Honor and surrounding grounds honors veterans from McCamey and elsewhere. New names are added during an annu- al Veterans Day Ceremony. At Sixth St. and Burleson Ave/U.S. 385.
www.facebook.com/pages/ Mccamey-Veterans-Memorial.
MENDOZA TRAIL MUSEUM—Exhibits include artifacts of the oil boom, fossils, machinery and other gems of frontier history. The adjoining 1915 Adrian House, with period furniture, and the Santa Fe Depot both offer vis- itors snapshots of the past. 602 Santa Fe. U.S. 67 east and Santa Fe Drive in Santa Fe Park. 432/652-3192.
www.mccameycity.com.
A S P A CE V IEW
MIDLAND INTERNATIONAL AIR & Space Port received its commer- cial space transportation license in 2014, permitting it to operate a launch site. Its terminal currently houses a model of a two-seat sub- orbital spacecraft being developed by XCOR Aerospace for space flights.
★ PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134 |
Page 135 |
Page 136 |
Page 137 |
Page 138 |
Page 139 |
Page 140 |
Page 141 |
Page 142 |
Page 143 |
Page 144 |
Page 145 |
Page 146 |
Page 147 |
Page 148 |
Page 149 |
Page 150 |
Page 151 |
Page 152 |
Page 153 |
Page 154 |
Page 155 |
Page 156 |
Page 157 |
Page 158 |
Page 159 |
Page 160 |
Page 161 |
Page 162 |
Page 163 |
Page 164 |
Page 165 |
Page 166 |
Page 167 |
Page 168 |
Page 169 |
Page 170 |
Page 171 |
Page 172 |
Page 173 |
Page 174 |
Page 175 |
Page 176 |
Page 177 |
Page 178 |
Page 179 |
Page 180 |
Page 181 |
Page 182 |
Page 183 |
Page 184 |
Page 185 |
Page 186 |
Page 187 |
Page 188 |
Page 189 |
Page 190 |
Page 191 |
Page 192 |
Page 193 |
Page 194 |
Page 195 |
Page 196 |
Page 197 |
Page 198 |
Page 199 |
Page 200 |
Page 201 |
Page 202 |
Page 203 |
Page 204 |
Page 205 |
Page 206 |
Page 207 |
Page 208 |
Page 209 |
Page 210 |
Page 211 |
Page 212 |
Page 213 |
Page 214 |
Page 215 |
Page 216 |
Page 217 |
Page 218 |
Page 219 |
Page 220 |
Page 221 |
Page 222 |
Page 223 |
Page 224 |
Page 225 |
Page 226 |
Page 227 |
Page 228 |
Page 229 |
Page 230 |
Page 231 |
Page 232 |
Page 233 |
Page 234 |
Page 235 |
Page 236 |
Page 237 |
Page 238 |
Page 239 |
Page 240 |
Page 241 |
Page 242 |
Page 243 |
Page 244 |
Page 245 |
Page 246 |
Page 247 |
Page 248 |
Page 249 |
Page 250 |
Page 251 |
Page 252 |
Page 253 |
Page 254 |
Page 255 |
Page 256 |
Page 257 |
Page 258 |
Page 259 |
Page 260 |
Page 261 |
Page 262 |
Page 263 |
Page 264 |
Page 265 |
Page 266 |
Page 267 |
Page 268
