Socorro Mission and Cemetery

We'd like to encourage more travelers to get off I-10 and explore the Mission Trail area, just east of El Paso.  One of our favorite missions is one in Socorro, described on the Mission Trail Association website:

"The Socorro Mission exudes a sense of strength and dignity with its six-foot-thick adobe walls and massive vigas. The Socorro Mission shares the distinction of being among the oldest continuous settlements in the Southwest, as well as being one of the oldest continuously operated missions in Texas.

The original Franciscan mission, “Nuestra Señora de la Concepción del Socorro” was completed in 1691. Admired for its traditional adobe craftsmanship, unique design details, and for its role in resonating cultural heritage, the current Socorro Mission (dedicated in 1843) is listed on the National Register of Historic Places."

If you go, take a look at the nearby cemetery, with original grave markers, including this one mirroring the architecture of the mission.

Visitor information:

Address:  328 S. Nevarez Rd., El Paso, TX 79927
Hours of Operation:  10am-4pm (M-F); 9am-6pm (Sat); 9am-1pm (Sun)
For More Information: (915) 859-7718

Juniper Hairstreak

One of the Desert Rat campers at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center took this photo, and their Education Coordinator wrote us with this:

"Desert Rat campers found this Juniper hairstreak (Callophrys gryneus) on one
of the beargrass flower stalks."

We're seeing more butterflies in the region....have you seen any? 

Blooming cacti!

Coryphantha macromeris blooming
at the Cactus Greenhouse at
Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center in Fort Davis!

What's playing at the Plaza Classic Film Festival this summer?

What's playing at the Plaza Classic Film Festival in downtown El Paso, August -17?

Wizard of Oz plays on the big 1930 screen in the restored
Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso during the Plaza Classic Film Festival

Office Space

The Seven Year Itch

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

This summer, don't miss the opportunity to see classic films on the big 1930 screen at the Plaza Theatre in downtown El Paso as part of the Plaza Classic Film Festival, August 7-17!   Click here for the schedule.  Click here to purchase tickets!

Sunrise east of Marfa this week

Texas' Wonderful Courthouses

Presidio County Courthouse in
Marfa.  Restoration was part of the
THC's Courthouse Preservation Program

One of the most important programs at the Texas Historical Commission is their Courthouse Preservation Program.  With funding approved by the state legislature, the THC has provided valuable monetary and expert support to communities with historic courthouses.

"Texas has more historic courthouses that any other state. Today more than 235 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.

Providing assistance to counties reached a critical point when Texas county courthouses were added to the National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered Properties list in 1998. The state’s response was to create the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, the largest preservation grant program ever initiated by a state government. This nationally recognized preservation program has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun the process of restoring the state’s most treasured historic landmarks.

In support of the projects completed with state grant funds, the THC also created the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Program. It provides education and training to county staff for future preservation needs.

For information about the program, please click here or contact the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program staff at 512.463-6094."

Texas has more historic courthouses that any other state. Today more than 235 courthouses still stand that are least 50 years old. About 80 were built before the turn of the 20th century. By the end of that century, most of these structures were significantly deteriorated due to inadequate maintenance, insensitive modifications or weather related damage. The Texas Historical Commission (THC) documented the condition of 50 of the state’s oldest courthouses in the late 1990s and determined that counties lacked the resources to preserve the buildings for future generations.
Providing assistance to counties reached a critical point when Texas county courthouses were added to the National Trust’s 11 Most Endangered Properties list in 1998. The state’s response was to create the Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program, the largest preservation grant program ever initiated by a state government. This nationally recognized preservation program has turned around the trend of disrepair and begun the process of restoring the state’s most treasured historic landmarks.
In support of the projects completed with state grant funds, the THC also created the Texas Courthouse Stewardship Program. It provides education and training to county staff for future preservation needs.
For information about the program, please click here or contact the Texas Historical Commission, Texas Historic Courthouse Preservation Program staff at 512.463-6094.
- See more at: http://www.thc.state.tx.us/preserve/projects-and-programs/texas-historic-courthouse-preservation#sthash.S1gZxrD2.dpuf

Van Horn Twirlers!

Tommie Foster and Barbara (Pudgy) Munn Vick as Twirlers, Photograph, n.d.; digital image, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth13971/ : accessed July 21, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Clark Hotel Museum, Van Horn, Texas.

Beetles on a Buffalo Gourd

From our friends at Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center in Fort Davis!

On the BIG Screen at the Plaza Classic Film Fest!

The Matrix

12 Angry Men

Spartacus

The Kid

El Paso hosts a WONDERFUL film festival every year...showing classic films on the BIG 1930 screen.  They've got another great lineup again this year, don't miss it!   Visit the fest's website, and plan to attend August 7-17!

Cutting the Ribbon on a Heritage Tourism Partnership Project: Jeff Davis County Library Terrace Project

Cyndee Barnes of the Friends of Jeff Davis County Library
cuts the ribbon on the Terrace during
Fort Davis' July 4th celebration

During the July 4th weekend, a wonderful heritage tourism partnership project held its ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony, the Jeff Davis County Library's Terrace Project.

Community volunteers worked to clean up the area adjacent to the historic library building; and added a shade structure, benches, interpretive panels and WiFi, creating a comfortable 24-hour area for locals and travelers alike.

The project was one of the last recipients of the Texas Historical Commission's Heritage Tourism Partnership Grants, and our Texas Mountain Trail organization was happy to facilitate the relationship with the Friends of Jeff Davis County Library.

Beth Francell outlines the work done on the Terrace and
how it relates to the history of Jeff Davis County

Viva Big Bend Festival, July 24-27!

Make your plans NOW to attend the Viva Big Bend Festival later this month, taking place in Alpine, Marathon, Marfa and Fort Davis....and this year, the bonus shows at Lajitas on July 22 and 23!

Click HERE to purchase tickets!!
Click here for the schedule, July 24-27!

Early Photo of Jackson Hotel, Van Horn

D.B. Jackson at the Hotel Center (Jackson Hotel), Photograph, n.d.; digital image, (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth14142/ : accessed July 14, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Clark Hotel Museum, Van Horn, Texas.

Another interesting photograph of early Culberson County history in the collection of the Clark Hotel Museum in Van Horn.  Our Texas Mountain Trail worked with the Portal to Texas History on the digitization of the museum's photography collection in 2006, so the collection is online! 

Viva Terlingua Fest!

Mark your calendar for a mid-August festival at the gateway to Big Bend, the Viva Terlingua Fest!  Scheduled all day for Thursday, August 14-Sunday, August 17 for the fun, as there will be music, film and visual arts at the Lajitas Golf Resort and the Starlight Theatre! 

Interested in entering your song, film or artwork?  Click on this link for more information!



From the festival organizers post on our calendar of events:  "There are two screening locations, one in Lajitas and one in Terlingua. The Flat Rock Theatre in Lajitas is set up as a small traditional movie theatre. There’s even a popcorn machine in the lobby. The Starlight Theatre has been the site of several indie film premieres—there is a screen that hangs at the back of the stage, PA system, and a full-service restaurant and bar.

Flat Rock Theatre, Lajitas

Enter your short film (less than 65 minutes) in the contest to win cash and prizes. The judges will be looking at your story and how well you tell it. You can submit your film digitally or on DVD. If you make the semi-finals and we screen your film, you’ll need to provide a DVD.

There are several art galleries in Terlingua and Lajitas, and the Starlight Theatre hosts regular art openings and photograph exhibits. That’s where the semi-finalists work will be displayed.
Terlingua has a thriving music scene. The Starlight Theatre and Lajitas Resort have hosted Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Restless Kelly, Butch Hancock, Greezy Wheels, Steve Fromholtz, Rambling Jack Elliot, and many others.
Enter your song in the songwriting by sending us an MP3 or CD. The level of production is up to you. Our judges will be focusing on the song. Do your lyrics tell your story? Does the melody fit that story? Semi-finalists will have the opportunity to present their songs live on stage at the Festival.
- See more at: http://texasmountaintrail.com/events/terlingualajitas-viva-terlingua-fest#sthash.Ral7u8G7.dpuf

There are two screening locations, one in Lajitas and one in Terlingua. The Flat Rock Theatre in Lajitas is set up as a small traditional movie theatre. There’s even a popcorn machine in the lobby. The Starlight Theatre has been the site of several indie film premieres—there is a screen that hangs at the back of the stage, PA system, and a full-service restaurant and bar.
Enter your short film (less than 65 minutes) in the contest to win cash and prizes. The judges will be looking at your story and how well you tell it. You can submit your film digitally or on DVD. If you make the semi-finals and we screen your film, you’ll need to provide a DVD.
There are several art galleries in Terlingua and Lajitas, and the Starlight Theatre hosts regular art openings and photograph exhibits. That’s where the semi-finalists work will be displayed.
Terlingua has a thriving music scene. The Starlight Theatre and Lajitas Resort have hosted Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Restless Kelly, Butch Hancock, Greezy Wheels, Steve Fromholtz, Rambling Jack Elliot, and many others.
Enter your song in the songwriting by sending us an MP3 or CD. The level of production is up to you. Our judges will be focusing on the song. Do your lyrics tell your story? Does the melody fit that story? Semi-finalists will have the opportunity to present their songs live on stage at the Festival.
- See more at: http://texasmountaintrail.com/events/terlingualajitas-viva-terlingua-fest#sthash.Ral7u8G7.dpuf

There are several art galleries in Terlingua and Lajitas, and the Starlight Theatre hosts regular art openings and photograph exhibits. That’s where the semi-finalists work will be displayed.

Terlingua has a thriving music scene. The Starlight Theatre and Lajitas Resort have hosted Alejandro Escovedo, Joe Ely, Restless Kelly, Butch Hancock, Greezy Wheels, Steve Fromholtz, Rambling Jack Elliot, and many others.

Enter your song in the songwriting by sending us an MP3 or CD. The level of production is up to you. Our judges will be focusing on the song. Do your lyrics tell your story? Does the melody fit that story? Semi-finalists will have the opportunity to present their songs live on stage at the Festival."

Click here to purchase tickets online!

One of our favorite photos of Big Bend

At the end of the Window Trail!

Black Hawk

For all you birders, from our friends at the Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center:

"One of our remote wildlife cameras caught what appears to be an adult common black hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) drinking or fishing in the perennial Modesta Spring. It is a stocky black bird of prey with very broad wings and a broad white tail band. The bare skin of the legs and cere (the featherless part of the face at the base of the bill) is yellow. Black hawks inhabit wooded canyons and riverside habitats throughout the southwest and migrate south of the U.S. border during the winter. They feed mainly on aquatic creatures such as frogs, small fish, crabs, and crayfish, thus the importance of the spring in attracting this individual. Although active nests are known in the Fort Davis area, this individual might represent a previously unknown nesting pair. The species is vulnerable to disturbance near its nesting sites and seems to be declining in the United States."

Plaza Classic Film Festival Announces Schedule!

Enjoy your favorite classic films in a beautifully restored 1930 movie theatre, El Paso's Plaza!  The festival just announced the lineup for August 6-17, and we're excited!  Check it out at www.plazaclassic.com

Guess who's coming to sign autographs?  Shirley Jones will be celebrating the showing of her 1955 classic, Oklahoma! at the festival! 

Ms. Jones will also be signing autographs for ticket holders. 

Pick up your new travel guide in the region!

In addition to several Visitors Centers in the region, the newest issue of the Big Bend and Texas Mountain Travel Guide are available:

Texas Travel Info Center, Anthony

Texas Travel Info Center, Denison

Texas Travel Info Center, Harlingen

Texas Travel Info Center, Amarillo

Texas Travel Info Center, Waskom

Texas Travel Info Center, Wichita Falls

Texas Travel Info Center, Gainesville

Texas Travel Info Center, Langtry

Texas Travel Info Center, Laredo

Texas Travel Info Center, Orange

Texas Travel Info Center, Texarkana

San Antonio CVB

State Capitol Visitor Center, Austin

Midland Convention & Visitor Bureau

Odessa Chamber of Commerce

El Paso CVB and Visitors Centers

Ben J. Rogers Visitor Center - Beaumont

L&L Distribution (various brochure stands across Far West Texas)

Fort Stockton Chamber of Commerce

Fredericksburg

Ozona Visitor Center

Pecos Visitor Center

Van Horn CVB

Unfortunately, our non-profit budget will not allow the Texas Mountain Trail to mail copies to individuals, so we hope the above list will help folks planning trips to Far West Texas.  Pick up your copy today!

Velvetpod mimosa

In bloom today at Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center and Botanical Gardens....the Velvet Pod Mimosa, also called Velvetpod Catclaw (Mimosa dysocarpa).   The Texas Native Plants database says this about the beautiful mimosa:

"Velvet pod mimosa is abundant and common in the Chisos and Davis Mountains of the Trans-Pecos on brushy hillsides from 2500 to 6500 feet, and occurs north into New Mexico and Arizona and south to Mexico. Numerous short, widely divergent, irregular but densely prickly branches bear pubescent (downy) bipinnate leaves and extremely showy, fragrant, pinkish-purple cylindrical flower spikes."

Read more here.

Coolest July 4th in Fort Davis!

The Food Pantry has a baking contest

Every year, Fort Davis holds a great hometown celebration, the Coolest July 4th!  Named because Fort Davis' elevation makes it a cool place of retreat for urban Texans.  Click HERE for the entire schedule!

The parade is always a favorite!

What's blooming in our desert?

A native plant in our desert, Wislizenus senna, in bloom at CDRI

A great place to see the desert in bloom is Fort Davis' Chihuahuan Desert Nature Center.  In bloom this week is the Wislizenus senna, a native plant with brilliant yellow flowers.

The pollinator garden is greening up with all the rain we've had lately, with lots of plants showing their color!

CDRI's pollinator garden

A Million Dollars of Service

Accepting the symbolic check for $1million in service to the region:
Barrett Durst, Superintendent of Big Bend Ranch State Park; Susan
Penney of CDRI; Michelle Haggerty, State Coordinator for Texas
Master Naturalist; Julie Morton, Field Rep for U.S. Congressman
Pete Gallego

Saturday, the Tierra Grande Chapter of Texas Master Naturalist (serving the Big Bend/Davis Mountains area) celebrated a MAJOR milestone.  This corps of trained volunteers dedicate service to parks, communities and non-profits to benefit our natural lands.  And Saturday, the chapter celebrated that fact that since its formation in 2005, their members volunteered time equivalent of $1 million in support to the region!

The chapter works on trail building, area clean-ups, scientific studies, children's education programs, public hikes and adventures in our state and national parks, at our libraries, our natural lands.

Join us for the Dedication!

One of the recipients of our Heritage Tourism grants through the Texas Historical Commission in 2012, was the Jeff Davis County Library Terrace project, which provides a pleasant place for visitors to enjoy a comfortable seat, wi-fi, and learn about the area's history through interpretive panels.  The new terrace provides outdoor seating in a previously unused area that was converted from an old loading dock. The library is housed in the historic W. Keesey-Union Mercantile Building, a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. 

Located across the street from the Jeff Davis County Courthouse in Fort Davis, and next to the historic Limpia Hotel, the Terrace project is now complete and ready for YOU!

Would you join us for the dedication this Saturday?

The ceremony will follow a bank robbery reenactment at 1 p.m., with an ice cream social immediately following the dedication.