Paisano Courtyard: The Hotel Paisano in Marfa. is built in a U-shape with a large inviting courtyard in the entrance area. Shown is the inner courtyard and the entrance to the historic hotel. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Paisano Exterior: The exterior of Hotel Paisano, seen from the street side, offers a pleasant courtyard as you enter the property. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
BY GARY WARREN
photographer
Formerly from Los Alamos
As we wandered the towns of western Texas in the state’s Big Bend region, we noticed similarities and differences between four of the towns near Big Bend National Park. One of the main similarities were the historic hotels in the center of each town, preserved or restored to their original glory.
The four hotels featured are Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Hotel Limpia in Ft. Davis, Holland Hotel in Alpine and the Gage Hotel in Marathon. These four cities are within about a 50-mile radius, which is like next-door neighbors in West Texas.
The Hotel Paisano in Marfa is probably the best known of the four hotels. It was built in 1930 and is also the “newest” of the hotels. The hotel was built for ranchers who live in town and buy and sell cattle or do other business.
Hotel Paisano became famous in 1955 during the filming of the movie “Giant” starring James Dean, Liz Taylor and Rock Hudson. This southwest style hotel is built in a U shape with a grand courtyard entrance. Today, visitors can still stay in the same room where each of the stars lived during filming of the film.
A few miles up the road is Ft. Davis, where the Hotel Limpia is the center of town. Built in 1912, the Limpia offers visitors a relaxed atmosphere. White rocking chairs line the porch for relaxing and enjoying the cool Ft mountain air. Davis, which is at 5,050 feet elevation. Downtown Fort. Davis and Limpia sit approximately four miles from Ft. Davis National Historic Site, a former military post.
In Alpine, the Holland Hotel is located on the town’s main thoroughfare. The Holland Hotel was built in 1912 and for years has been the center of social and business life in Alpine. Alpine is the largest of the four cities and is also home to Sul Ross University and several other hotels have been built over the years. However, historic Holland is still the heart of downtown Alpine.
The Gage Hotel is located in Marathon, the closest city to Big Bend National Park. The Gage was built in 1927 and years later additional rooms were added, a garden area and a newer wing added to the hotel. The original hotel had 15 rooms and the expanded hotel has 45 rooms and the garden offers an outdoor area for events or an area to sit and relax.
All four of these hotels have had their ups and downs, but the key is that each has been preserved and/or remodeled in its original condition and furnishings that proudly reflect the area’s historic history and continued success. Each of the hotels offers food and other services that are usually found in nice hotels. Each of the four communities is proud of these hotels.
Editor’s Note: Longtime Los Alamos photographer Gary Warren and his wife Marilyn travel the country, and he shares his photos, which appear in the “Posts from the Road” series, published in the Sunday edition of the Los Alamos Daily Post .
Paisano Lobby: The lobby of the Hotel Paisano in Marfa, Texas. shows the southwestern tile work and woodwork in the historic hotel. All of these historic hotels have been restored to their original glory. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Limpia Exterior: Hotel Limpia occupies a prominent location in downtown Ft. Davis. The white rocking chairs provide an inviting place to sit and relax while enjoying the cooler Ft. Davis, located in the Davis Mountains at 5,050 feet. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Hotel Limpia Lobby: The rich wooden interior of Hotel Limpia is evident as you enter the hotel lobby. All four of the hotels listed feature beautiful Western artwork as well as furnishings befitting their historic past. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Holland Exterior: The Holland Hotel is located on the main thoroughfare in Alpine. The hotel has been the center of social and business activity in Alpine for many years and is still the landmark building downtown. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Holland Lobby: Shown is a seating area in the lobby of the Holland Hotel Lobby in downtown Alpine. The decor of each hotel reflects the artwork and furniture style of the historic hotels. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Gage Hotel Exterior: The Gage Hotel is the heart of Marathon. Marathon is the closest town to Big Bend National Park, which is a major tourist attraction for this area of west Texas. The original hotel had 15 rooms but the hotel was later expanded to 45 rooms and an outdoor garden for events. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
Gage Interior: The lobby of the Gage Hotel in Marathon shows a seating area in the foreground and guest registration services in the background. Also on display is the historic hotel’s western decor. Photo by Gary Warren/ladailypost.com
