Davis Mountains State Park was established with 540 acres, in 1933, and was one of the earliest projects for the Texas Civilian Conservation Corps. They built many of the facilities still used in the park today. An Indian Lodge sets on a mountain overlooking the state park with its white adobe walls and historic rustic charm.
The town of Marfa is slowly becoming the Mecca of Art and tourism. In 1971, Donald Judd, an artist from New York, visited Marfa and fell in love with the small-town atmosphere. He purchased a home in Marfa, founded the Judd Foundation and the Chinati Foundation and constructed art galleries in several buildings on one city block.
While in Marfa, you will tour Building 98, built in 1895 as officers’ quarters and headquarters for the Big Bend Military District during the Mexican Revolution. Building 98 is a historic building listed on the National Register of Historic Sites and is a Registered Historic Texas Landmark. While touring Building 98, you will see WWII German POW murals painted by prisoners who were among those placed at Fort Russell at the request of General George Patton. Mona Blocker Garcia will lead this tour. She is none other than the founder of the International Woman’s Foundation and cousin to Dan Blocker (Hoss Cartwright) of the TV series Bonanza.
While in downtown Marfa, visit the Marfa Courthouse. The Presidio County Courthouse is one of the prettiest in Texas. Notice the woodwork throughout the courthouse. Take the circular staircase to the top floor and look out a window to see the entire town of Marfa. This courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977.
Before viewing the Marfa Lights, visit the beautiful and historic Hotel Paisano. Built in 1930, it was one of the most elegant hotels of its time. In 1955 the Hotel Paisano was used as headquarters to film the classic movie “Giant,” starring James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor and Rock Hudson. Other movies filmed in the Marfa area are The Gambler, Lonesome Dove, The Good Old Boys, Streets of Laredo, Dead Man’s Walk, There Will Be Blood, No Country for Old Men and Dancer. Texas Population 81 was filmed in nearby Ft. Davis, and many locals were used as extras.