MIDLAND POP. 127,598
ALT. 2,891 MAP L-9/KK-4
MIDLAND VISITORS CENTER: 1406 W. I-20 (Exit 136). 432/687-8285 or 800/624-6435.
www.visitmidlandtexas.com.
Midland was established in the late 1800s. Farming and ranching were the main sources of income until the discovery of oil in the 1920s. The area, known as the Permian Basin, became the headquarters for a vast petroleum industry. Midland is approximately midway between Fort
Worth and El Paso on I-20. Midland Air & Space Port, between Odessa and Midland, is the ninth largest airport in Texas.
GEORGE W. BUSH CHILDHOOD HOME —Visit the place former President George W. Bush refers to as his hometown and learn more about the man while tour- ing his fully restored childhood home. Features fur- nishings authentic to 1952-56, when the Bush family lived there, plus photographic exhibits and special activities. 1412 W. Ohio. 432/685-1112.
www.bushchildhoodhome.org.
HALEY LIBRARY & HISTORY CENTER —Nearly 30,000 items include displays and volumes on all facets of early Western life. It also contains extensive collections on Billy the Kid and the Lincoln County War. Among the historical relics is the original Alamo mission bell, cast in 1722. Donations accepted. 1805 W. Indiana Ave. 432/682-5785.
I-20 WILDLIFE PRESERVE & JENNA WELCH NATURE STUDY CENTER —Protects more than 87 acres of playa habitat that are critical to the survival of local bird pop- ulations, native wildlife and thousands of migratory birds along the West Central Flyway. Includes 3.4 miles of walking and biking trails. 2201 S. Midland Dr. 432/853-9453.
www.i20wildlifepreserve.org.
MIDLAND COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM —Exhibits include early Midland history; pioneer relics; photos; mementos of the Civil War, World Wars I and II; and Na- tive American artifacts. One of the most popular exhib- its is the reproduction of “Midland Man,” fossil remains that proved human life existed in the Midland area as long ago as 9000-9500 B.C. 301 W. Missouri. 432/688-8947.
MIDLAND DOWNTOWN LIONS CLUB FIRE MUSEUM — The museum offers an up-close look at the city’s first fire trucks, Old Engine No. 1 and Old Engine No. 2. Other exhibits include early firefighting equipment, photographs, and a collection of early fire markers. Free. 1500 W. Wall. On the east end of the Central Fire Station building. 432/685-7332.
MIDLAND ROCKHOUNDS AT SECURITY BANK BALL- PARK —With 5,000 fixed seats and 1,000 on grass- berm seating, it is home to the Midland Rockhounds, a AA affiliate of the Oakland A’s baseball club. Admission charge. 5514 Champions Drive. 432/520-2255.
http://midland.rockhounds.milb.com.
MUSEUM OF THE SOUTHWEST —Comprised of the Ju- liette and Fred Turner Jr. Memorial Gallery, a sculpture garden, Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum and Marian Blakemore Planetarium, the museum inspires discovery and exploration of art, science, culture and history. SeptemberFest, annual juried art show, is the first weekend after Labor Day. Christmas in the Man- sion is throughout December. Admission charge. 1705 W. Missouri. 432/683-2882.
www.museumsw.org. Fredda Turner Durham Children’s Museum—
Offers a variety of hands-on, interactive exhibitions that create an exciting learning experience for children of all ages. A rotating exhibition space offers diverse and education-based exhibitions. Marian Blakemore Planetarium—Houses a state-
of-the-art Spitz SciDome HD projector, permanent ex- hibition area and classroom. Dome shows are followed by star talks. Call to book a tour or private dome show. See website for Star Parties schedule.
PERMIAN BASIN PETROLEUM MUSEUM & CHAPARRAL RACECAR GALLERY —The interactive mu- seum takes visitors on a step-by-step search for black
gold. Life-size murals, ancient artifacts, antique drill- ing equipment and colorful memorabilia combine with Tom Lovell’s murals depicting the American West. The Chaparral Gallery houses Jim Hall’s seven racecars. Admission charge. 1500 I-20 west. Exit 136 in Midland. 432/683-4403.
www.petroleummuseum.org.
PERMIAN BASIN VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL — The pentagonal-shaped memorial holds plaques of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as the names of the individuals who lost their lives during the conflict. Admission charge. 9900 Wright Drive. At the Midland International Air & Space Port.
www.veteransmemorial.us.
PLISKA AIRPLANE —Fascinated by airplanes, John V. Pliska built his own after he saw a Wright Brothers Model B plane land in Midland in 1911 on a cross-coun- try flight. He flew his plane in 1912, making it the first plane built and flown in Texas. In the Midland Interna- tional Air & Space Port lobby. 432/560-2200.
SIBLEY NATURE CENTER —Located on 49 acres, the center promotes understanding and appreciation of the nature and history of the region through a broad range of educational programs and personal experi- ence. Walk the trails, observe the native landscape and visit the interpretative center. 1307 E. Wadley. 432/684-6827.
www.sibleynaturecenter.org.
SUSIE’S SOUTH FORTY CANDY FACTORY —Tour the factory where world-famous toffee and other confec- tions are made. The factory is a Guiness World Record holder for the largest piece of toffee. It was shaped like Texas. 401 S. Marienfeld. 432/570-4040.
www.susiessouthforty.com.
YUCCA THEATRE —This restored Vaudeville House with cabaret-style seating offers flamboyant Assyrian- style architecture, featuring gilded lions, ornate col- umns, scrollwork and elaborate lighting fixtures. This Recorded Texas Historic Landmark houses the madcap Summer Mummers melodrama. 208 N. Colorado St. 432/570-4111.
www.mctmidland.org.
Marathon, TX Gateway to Big Bend
Lodging
& Window to the Stars Restaurants
Shopping Galleries
MarathonTexas.com Photo courtesy of Mike Mezeul II Big-City Amenities
Wagner Noël Performing Arts Center
Small-Town Hospitality
Contact us to book your weekend getaway or tour through the Big Bend region:
(800) 624-6435
VisitMidlandTexas.com
(800) 780-4678
OdessaCVB.com
223
BIG BEND COUNTRY
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
