Wisely, he decided to move the party up the highway to what was then the only other bar near Terlingua, La Kiva. Thats a huge mistake. Due to the closing of the Terlingua quicksilver mines, the number of residents in Lajitas had dwindled to four. If you fall off a cliff, you will die. Order your test online and receive your donor/registration pass by email. The store itself was stacked deep with every conceivable necessity, from bulk beans and flour to appliances, auto parts, clothes, and ranch supplies. There are similar hotels available. Plus: FC Dallas in the playoffs and Dak Prescott's long-awaited return. Be aware that cell phones may inadvertently change to Mountain Time and cause you to be an hour behind schedule. Smith and a group of hastily scraped-together investors. Your County. But instead of a big Spanish villa, he built a modest, 1,800-square-foot cottage with an outdoor fireplace. She paints mandalas on old hubcaps to make a little
Nothing unusual about that or about the fact that a couple of the men were somewhat flirty with the waitress, an attractive young woman whod been living in the area for about a year. Whats Up With All the Kangaroos on the Loose in Texas? Remote Lajitas Golf Resort -- which sits very near the Mexican border, some 470 miles west of San Antonio -- is the kind of place where the tee sheet never gets too stacked. Her answer: No dice. At the end of the meal, he tipped her $50. "I still think it could be something special," the 52-year-old
Checks were cashed and loans were made, and Ivey accepted payment in dollars, pesos, or by barter. The auction itself was off-limits to the press, as lawyers for Lajitas worried that the presence of reporters would chill the bidding. There was, in fact, a large contingent of resort employees in La Kiva that night, all of them transplants from around the United States but for one young woman who had grown up in the area. [12], Frank Q. Dobbs directed his first film, Enter the Devil, in Lajitas in 1972. Holmes did not return a call about the donation. since 2003 and hopes to remove the exclusivity from the resort. His whole model was based on the idea that he could somehow tame the desert, refashion it to suit his plan, and it was just a matter of time before his vision became known as Smiths Folly. I think he was just writing checks.. And when he describes how he discovered a hole in a Lajitas urinal once upon a timeId had a few beers and went to take a leak, and my foot kept getting warmer, and I remembered I had my Birkenstocks on, and . And when I tried to pull open my window, the knob should not have come off in my hand. NewsMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News. Farming along the floodplain caused an even further boom, causing Lajitas to build a store, a saloon, and a custom house in 1912. Your News. "I want to walk into the bar and hear laughter and just see
He was also involved in a dispute with the IRS over $140 million in tax shelters. She and her husband have since purchased the place. A post office was established at Lajitas in 1904 and remained in operation until 1939. For Sales Info, Contact: Scott Beasley 214-981-0758 Welcome To LAJITAS GOLF RESORT Lajitas Golf Resort in Lajitas, Texas Tucked away in Texas' historic Big Bend between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park lies Lajitas Resort, the perfect setting for your away-from-it-all adventure. Others wondered if Smiths bean counters had prevailed upon him to fund his dream with other peoples money. retreat, an offense to the desert and a leading hotel of the world. Copyright 2016 (c) | VisitBigBend.com | All Rights Reserved | Brought to you by the Brewster County Tourism Council |. The resort's unique destination is rich in Old West history. [26][27], "Kelcy" redirects here. [7] Warren went to White Oak High School. [20] He gave $1 million to Greg Abbott after the 2021 legislative session. The Lajitas Golf Resort is a full-service golf resort and spa located in the Big Bend region of West Texas. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Voted #1 Most Beautiful Golf Course in Texas Golf Magazine Unlike Mr. Smith, whose persona became intertwined with his
These days, Clay Henry can be found (stuffed) at Starlight Theatre in Terlingua, but Clay Henrys descendants continued to act as mayorat least until his grandson met a gnarly fate. Andbig bonus for ussome rooms are pet friendly. Lajitas is on the western edge of Big Bend National Park in southwestern Brewster County. Reviewed October 12, 2021 As youre exploring Big Bend Country, theres a good chance youll find yourself passing through the blink-and-youll-miss-it town of Lajitas. Bill Ivey owns the Ghost Town at Terlingua now, but he ran the trading post through the eighties. Additionally, there were no televisions, the latter a rarity among communities in the decade. No spam, ever. When I asked a local sitting at the bar what he remembered of that story, she happened to be on the other side of me and interrupted, That was me! Shes still angry about it, and she ticked off the details as though it had happened the night before. [14], Warren has hosted the Cherokee Music Festival since it began in 2007. "It didn't feel right. are more than six.". A stay in a historic hotel, a swanky villa, or even the resorts Maverick RV Park are all options at Lajitas Golf Resort. Lajitas officially had a post office as early as 1901, but it did not become operational until McGuirk petitioned for its reestablishment in 1904. Lajitas Golf Resort is a 103 room resort with the number one public 18-hole golf course in Texas, spa, restaurant, saloon, 3 swimming pools, and a guest activity menu that includes shooting sports, equestrian riding, Subaru rentals, stargazer dinners on site, and guided jeep and ATV trips with local vendors. month to Mr. Warren, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Dallas-based
How Florence ButtNot Her SonLaunched the H-E-B Empire, H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ Restaurant Is Slipping, Jimmy Carters Peanut-and-Egg Taco Made Quite the Impression on San Antonians. "She certainly has the coolest house," he said. ), 5 Cool Towns Near Big Bend National Park (+ Where to Stay! ), 17 Epic East Texas Towns + Cities to Visit. A major hotel chain. Rooms were scattered all over the grounds, along the boardwalk, on the golf course, and across Ranch Road 170, driving up operating costs. The course was designed by Lanny Wadkins. McGuirk, who also helped manage the mining company in Terlingua and funded the construction of a church. Brings new meaning to the phrase Sunday Funday. Had he really sprayed a compound on the ground in front of the Lajitas boardwalk that would keep dust from kicking up? Restaurant Manager; Facilities. to the community and about music. braided. [5] The Big Bend is not the kind of place you want to drive through and look out your window at, Ivey continued. Double check when in the area for the correct local time when visiting. Make no mistake, desert life is hard, and the sacrifices required are made hourly. He says
When I bought the Ghost Town, I wanted to make it a place you needed to go to if you were in Big Bend. "First let me shake your hand for asking that," Ms. Ryan said,
We also have an email out to Warren. On Friday morning, after eating breakfast and making sure the
If you click through a link on Lone Star Travel Guide, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. The piece was made in 1935, well after the end of the Civil War, and depicts Lee on his horse alongside another Confederate soldier. The soul stays young, and that youth glows in the eyes, as lined as they may be. 1,059 reviews. kitchen and outdoor shower -- the woman who says she doesn't have
Now", "Castles in the ire: the minted moguls snapping up Ireland's stately homes", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kelcy_Warren&oldid=1135081936, This page was last edited on 22 January 2023, at 14:53. See 1,059 traveler reviews, 860 candid photos, and great deals for Lajitas Golf Resort, ranked #1 of 1 hotel in Lajitas and rated 4 of 5 at Tripadvisor. [19] My first thought was, Id spend a million to spruce it up a little bit, he told the San Antonio Express-News shortly thereafter. She said the exclusivity of the resort was like
Down in South County, where the economy desperately needs Lajitas to remain open, locals hoped that whoever bought the resort would scale back the dream, place it somewhere between the best plans of Mischers and Smiths. We cater to a wide range of guests from celebrities to families and international . Tel: 1-877-LAJITAS The resorts 250 workers made Lajitas the largest employer in South County, and it paid nearly 30 percent of the taxes for the schools in Terlingua. The resort was originally owned by oilman and entrepreneur Clayton Williams Jr. Williams purchased the property in 1983 and developed it into a golf resort. So when you meet someone who lives in Terlingua or Study Butte or Lajitasthat area known in local shorthand as South Countyyou might not be able to tell if hes thirty or sixty. I have stayed here several times before I knew who the owner was. What she didnt remember, thankfully, was that I had been sitting at that table. [2][3][6] From 1981 to 1992, he worked for Endevco. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. [15][16], In 2012, Warren donated $10 million to help build Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. The Big Bend is named for the vast curve of the Rio Grande in remote southwest Texas. He also donated $103,000 to President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. Lajitas Golf Resort 94 reviews Claimed $$$ Hotels, Golf, Day Spas Edit Open Open 24 hours See hours See all 236 photos Write a review Add photo Location & Hours 21701 Fm 170 Lajitas, TX 79852 Get directions Edit business info Amenities and More By Appointment Only Accepts Credit Cards Good For Kids Private Lot Parking 2 More Attributes Located on the border of the U.S. and Mexico, Lajitas sprung up to accommodate the increased border crossings thanks to the nearby mines, and was complete with a customs house, a school, a church, and a post office (which operated until 1939). The region was sparsely inhabited for thousands of years by semi nomadic peoples related to the Patarabueyes and Jumanos tribes before the Spanish arrived. It was closed temporarily in 1910, reopened in 1916, and closed permanently in 1939. The outing had been arranged in part to show me the way the new folks in Lajitas were being accepted in the community. There was a reason Big Bend hadnt already been overrun by the wealthy: the Chihuahuan Desert. Apart from teaching my students in class, we also go outside the four walls of the classroom to physically experience what was discussed in class. [2], Starting in the 1980s as a joke, for many years the purported mayor of Lajitas was Clay Henry III, a "beer-drinking" goat. [9] just about 9,000 residents and a per capita income of about $15,000. 289 on the Forbes 400 list of the richest people in America, with an estimated net worth of $3.8 billion. ambition. For those traditionally drawn to the place, whether they were rich or poor, comfort wasnt the major consideration. One part Texas frontier town, and one part golf resort, Lajitas is 100% pleasure. Whether you want to go horseback riding, golfing, hiking, or rafting on the Rio Grande, Lajitas Resort can put something together for you. It then became a port of entry when several cattle ranches and mining enterprises appeared in Coahuila and Chihuahua in Mexico and increased commerce across the Rio Grande River. In June 2003, Texas Golfer sent a writer to stay at Lajitas for what would be a cover story for the monthly magazine. He has
So life went in Lajitas, through the end of Iveys tenure in 1993, right up until Mischer sold out to Smith. living in the rusted hull of a bus, near a dirt path leading down to
[9] It is located on the Rio Grande, bordering Mexico,[10] between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. Boardwalk Bakery and Pizzeria. The people in Lajitas now know nothing about the place or its past at all. Lajitas Golf Resort has been welcoming Booking.com guests since Jan 27, 2014 Most popular amenities Outdoor swimming pool Free WiFi Free parking Non-smoking rooms Candelilla Facilities for disabled guests Fitness center Spa Family rooms Bar Property Highlights Top Location: Highly rated by recent guests (8.7) Free Parking Available On Site Faces age faster in the desert, the skin browning and creasing and toughening up in ways that city and suburban dwellers dont have to worry about. been a thorn in the side of the community," Mr. Leslie said. The ultimate fate of Lajitas wont be decided by any new owner. Lajitas is also somewhat famous for having a drunk goat named Clay Henry for a mayoryes, you read that correctly! [2], Due to the remoteness of the resort, Lajitas is served by the Lajitas International Airport, a private airport with a 6,503ft (1,982m) concrete runway. Our resort in West Texas is set among . Every facet of life in that trading post was filled with spirit, Ivey said. John Poindexter, the owner of Big Bends Cibolo Creek Ranch resort, was among the last to arrive and the last to leave. Mischer never made much money off the place and held onto it mostly out of love. The latest auction of Lajitas was marked by considerably less drama than the last one. Can College Sports Get More Absurd Than SMU Joining the Pac-12? Lajitas is zoned to schools in the Terlingua Common School District. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. To be fair, Smith did do some good. Bill grew up in that Lajitas, in the late fifties and sixties, attending school in Alpine but spending his weekends, holidays, and summers down by the river. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. signed. Then, this summer the Lajitas resort declared bankruptcy, announcing some $15 million in debts and $500,000 a month in operating losses, and went on the auction block. The highest recorded temperature at the resort is 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Ms. Ryan told Mr. Warren she remembers years ago when the bar
21701 FM 170, Lajitas, Big Bend National Park, TX 79852-5015. was Mr. Warren's first
We also offer our 5 Stand Sporting Clay Shoot, Cowboy Action shoot, Equestrian Center for family horseback rides, and many other A bankruptcy judge in San Antonio opened a three-month window for Lajitas to acquire new financing, but Smith, who by all accounts was still in love with the area, was unable to pull it off. Folks lolled in the shade, shot pool on a felt-free pool table on the porch, rolled dice in the corner, and fed quarters into a jukebox that Ivey stocked with Vicente Fernndez 45s that he bought on regular trips to Jurez. Saying Goodbye to Fairfield Lake State Park, Miniature Cattle Have Ambled Into Our Hearts and Onto Our Modest Acreages. Megan's Dog Adventures. Every day at five oclock sharp, when the whistle blew at Lajitas, the porch at the trading post became the spot for Big Bend happy hour. And on the other side of the highway and a tall adobe wall, the Cavalry Post and La Questa rooms opened up onto a swimming pool lined with ristra-strung arbors and a view of Lajitas Mesa. He started his career working for the Lone Star Gas Company. Before they were priced out of the RV park, snowbirds were staying for three- and four-month stretches to play $10-a-day golf, and they got to know all the resorts workers. McGuirk sold his landholdings around Lajitas to Thomas V. Skaggs, who continued farming. The resort features an 18-hole golf course a luxury hotel and a variety of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. Who Owns Lajitas Golf Resort by Joshua|Published August 25, 2019 The Lajitas Golf Resort is a full-service golf resort and spa located in the Big Bend region of West Texas. And the recollection of that night is one of the reasons there will be no pour-out on the porch for the death of Smiths vision. "Now I've got to go back to a different world," he said. Communities offer services, amenities, and entertainment. When I visited it in August and October, the trading post was dead. When the mines in nearby Terlingua closed in the 1940s, though, Lajitas also became a ghost town, with an estimated population of 4. I had been down in South County reporting for that story on the new Lajitas (and in my defense, Id not participated in the pool). He gave her $100 more, then walked out of the place as if everything was fine. In mid-October, Lajitas was back up for sale. Facilities Maintenance Technician; HVAC I Technician/Electrician What emerged was part roadside attraction, motel, RV park and
The Kolaches of West, Texas (Bakeries + Beyond), 13 Useful Tips for Visiting the Alamo in San Antonio, How to Visit the Eiffel Tower in Paris, TX (+ Photos & FAQ), 10 Great Texas Gulf Coast RV Parks (Beach Trip Ideas), 10+ Tips for Round Top, TX Shopping Trips (Antiques Fair Advice! [13], In 2007, he co-founded an independent record label, Music Road Records, with Jimmy LaFave and Fred Remmert. Scott Beasley, whose company WSB Resorts and Clubs manages Lajitas among other businesses and properties, said he is committed to having the resort show a profit in 2017 - if not sooner. Warren's gift was the largest, giving him naming rights. [5] RV park, where he says it used to take a $100,000 membership to stay. When I go down there now, all I see are a few workers, but theyre not allowed to talk to anybody. Lajitas Golf Resort is perfectly situated between the Big Bend National Park and the Big Bend State Park: it is the ultimate resort destination. The Lajitas Museum, which contained artifacts from the Big Bend area, was located just east of Lajitas. But the desert has always had a way of withering material
[5][24] He also owns an 8,000-acre ranch near Cherokee, Texas,[5] the 20,000-acre Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa in Lajitas, Texas,[25] and a private island near Roatn, Honduras. The community was said to be "about the only place where you can shoot 360 degrees", since Santa Fe and Sedona were already used up. When he decided to sell, Smith, a 54-year-old Austin-based telecommunications tycoon, showed up unannounced and unknown, stepping out of his helicopter just before the auction began to buy Lajitas on a whim for $4.25 million. If youve visited the popular Terlingua Ghost Town, youve no doubt heard about the mercury mining boom that led to the towns explosion in population in the early 20th century. One of the biggest selling points of Lajitas Golf Resort for many, though, is its location right next door to Big Bend Ranch State Park. making money. Anglo-Americans first arrived around the time of the Mexican war. The answer, as it turns out, is a little bit of both. Pamplin sold the resort in 2006 to a group of investors led by Texas businessman Bob McNair. Still, in a larger sense the buyer and his intentions dont really matter. In 2000, the town and surrounding 25,000 acres was sold at auction to Austin entrepreneur/developer Steve Smith, who completely remodeled the town, attempting to establish an exclusive high end resort for the jet set. Front Desk: (432) 424-5000 He housed and subsidized an infirmary that provided affordable, reliable health care. Leave them blank to get signed up. There was no plan at all, no directions from above. NYSE:ETP, By Paul Meyer, The Dallas Morning
He received a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1978.[8][3][6]. The first is the effect of the arid Big Bend environs, of the baking sun, beating winds, and unrelenting dust. Thats the way the project was run, as if success was secondary. Twelve miles east, on the Terlingua Ghost Town porchthe stretch of cement in front of the come-and-go storefronts where locals gather each evening to watch the Chisos Mountains change colors in the sunsetSmiths Ultimate Hideout, as his marketers called Lajitas, was already being derided as the Ultimate High Doubt. But unlike their city friends who made annual pilgrimages to Big Bend and worried that the new Lajitas would ruin the area, the beer drinkers on the porch watched Smith spend and felt a surprising amount of concern for him. And the people. On the wooden boardwalk, guests checked in in the grand lobby of the elegant Badlands Hotel, which is decorated like a high-dollar Old West guest house. It's a place where many have long come to get away from material excess
The crowds would grow to three hundred people and still be going when Ivey showed up for work the next morning, when he would finally shoo folks away. Dallas Robert E. Lee Statue Has Landed at Black Jacks Crossing Near Terlingua. Later, after as the horse became integrated into the Apache and Comanche culture, these nomadic tribes frequented the area, causing the Spanich to set up a series of Presidios and military colonies, one of which, San Carlos, lies 18 miles south of Lajitas. But with a little bit of practice and guidance anyone [], As of June 2018 Woods daughter Sam is 10 years old and has not expressed public interest in playing golf.