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  Texas : Towns A-Z / West Texas : Marfa

MARFA, TEXAS

Suggested slogan:
"We've been leaving the lights on for you for 120 years."
©
Presidio County Seat, West Texas

US 67 and 90, Hwy 17
26 miles W of Alpine
21 miles SW of Fort Davis
93 miles SW of Pecos
159 miles SW of Odessa
74 miles SE of Van Horn
162 miles SE of El Paso via I-10

Population: 2,121 (2000)

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The Reata, Marfa, Texas, 1968
The "Reata" in 1968
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson
"Honey, what do you want to name this town?"
Most everything about Marfa is unusual. The name, even in a state filled with strange names, is unusual. It comes, so we're told, from a character in Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov, the book being read by the wife of a railroad executive as they passed through the region. We're glad she wasn't reading The Idiot.

The Naming of Marfa
The Last Word on "Marfa" by Lee Lowry

Marfa Army Air Field and Fort D. A. Russell
Besides being used as a locale for the movie Giant, and other films, Marfa also served as a base for military aviation when they were still using biplanes. Known as Marfa Army Air Field... more

The Marfa History Club - How History is Conducted in Marfa
"If it's not asked, it's not answered." - Lee Bennett more

Marfa is the second highest county seat in the state next to Ft. Davis of neighboring Jeff Davis County.
Courthouse, Hotel Paisano and main street in Marfa, Texas, 1950s
Marfa street scene in the mid 1950s.
Postcard courtesy rootsweb.com/ %7Etxpstcrd/
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Marfa Landmarks / Attractions


  • The Mystery of the Marfa Lights
    Near Marfa (9 miles east)...
  • Chinati Hot Springs / Chinati Museum
  • Prada Marfa
    West Texas gets a Long-overdue Infusion of Whimsey by German-based Artists
  • Marfa Architecture - Buildings worthy of notice:

  • Presidio County Courthouse - History and images
  • El Paisano Hotel - Designed by El Pasoan Architects Trost and Trost (still open for business)
  • Chinati Foundation/ La Fundacion Chinati -
    Contemporary art museum. Located on former Fort D.A. Russell. 1 Calvary Row just off Route 67 south of Marfa.
  • The former Palace Theater
  • The Brite Building occupies the block south of El Paisano (c. 1931). Here the details are somewhat stylized and abstract and are more Native American influenced than the fine Spanish details of El Paisano.
  • Many handsome residences.
  • The Marfa National Bank (in the Brite Building) once served as Headquarters for the Marfa Army Air Field (1942)
  • Marfa Texas water tower Grain elevators in Marfa
    L - Marfa water tower and jail TE photo
    R - Marfa mill Photo Courtesy Bob Hann
    Palace Theatre Marfa Texas "Giant" movie set in Marfa Texas
    L - The Palace Theater. TE photo
    R - "Reata" the set for the movie "Giant". Courtesy TXDoT
    adobe home with cactus Brite Building in Marfa Texas
    L - A Marfa residence.
    R - Brite Building (Marfa National Bank). TE photos
    Nearby Destinations
  • Hwys 90 East 26 miles to Alpine
  • Hwy 17 North 21 miles to Ft. Davis
  • Ghost towns: Candelaria and Shafter.

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  • Marfa Texas street scene
    Marfa street scene
    TE photo
    Presidio County Towns and Ghost Towns
    County Seat - Marfa
    Presidio County Courthouse

  • Adobes
  • Candelaria
  • Casa Piedra
  • Lindsey City
  • Plata
  • Presidio
  • Redford
  • Ruidosa
  • Shafter
  • Marfa Texas City Park old post card
    "This was the City Park of Marfa, Texas. It was located where the US Post Office is now located. We used to stop and play at the City Park on our way to and from seeing a matinee movie at the Marfa Theatre. - Jo Ann Rivera Garcia, Former Marfan, January 30, 2007

    Marfa Tourist Information

    The Marfa Chamber of Commerce:
    200 South Abbott.
    432-729-4942
    P.O. Box 635, Marfa, TX 79843
    Website: www.iglobal.net/marfacoc

    Marfa Area Hotels
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    Marfa Texas Forum
    To share history or photos of Marfa, Texas, please contact us.
    © John Troesser
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    This page last modified: September 9, 2007