Pamplin sold the resort in 2006 to a group of investors led by Texas businessman Bob McNair. It had to be replaced. Ever since I retired, I decided to put up this blog alongside the best brains among my old student to uphold the sporting spirit in us. 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. new chef has been hired to bring the restaurant things like chicken The elevation of the course is 3500 feet. old-world bar, 92 luxury rooms and Mayor Clay Henry, a beer-drinking "It's the exclusivity. Mischer never made much money off the place and held onto it mostly out of love. Im a sports expert and lover. When I asked him what would happen if his dream didnt work, he said, Well, at least me and my friends will have a really nice golf course to play. (Smith declined to be interviewed for this article, and Texas Monthly happens to be one of his unsecured creditors, owed $35,000 for unpaid advertising.). Our resort in West Texas is set among . Skaggs also became successful in a candelilla wax business, the Lajitas Wax Company. There was a reason Big Bend hadnt already been overrun by the wealthy: the Chihuahuan Desert. To support Lajitas Vision of being recognized by our customers as the "Friendliest Resort in Texas!" You should champion this culture in every touch point of our business from our associates, guests, owners, and communities. world. , we came back to resort and spent time lounging in the pool. Locals speculated that he was struggling financially, and the monthly Big Bend Gazette reported that Lajitas was not the only Smith-related enterprise to recently declare bankruptcy. It became Steve Smiths problem when he bought the town of Lajitas at a public auction in February 2000. Please be sure to check back frequently as this journey continues. Warren also serves as chairman of the general partner of Energy Transfer Equity. Id hold out a brown paper sack that theyd put their guns in, and Id put their groceries in that sack and hand it back to them when they were leaving. The trading post was also the only chance for gas in the area, and it wasnt unusual to see a pilot like Tinsley taxi his plane down the highway to the pumps to refuel. The Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa is a 20,000-acre golf resort business in Lajitas owned by Texas businessman Kelcy Warren, who bought the resort from previous owner Steve Smith while the business was going through financial distress. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. The region was sparsely inhabited for thousands of years by semi nomadic peoples related to the Patarabueyes and Jumanos tribes before the Spanish arrived. And he did sell plenty of beer, the most of any business in Brewster County, he estimates. It was mounted on a pediment in the middle of the golf courses putting green on Thursday, according to Scott Beasley, who manages the course for Dallas-based WSB Resorts and Clubs. At the same time a number of cattle ranches and mining enterprises appeared in northern Chihuahua and Coahuila. Chip Gaines Bought Larry McMurtrys Historic Texas Bookstore. Sitemap. All rights reserved. Instead, a San Antonio law firm opened one of its large conference rooms to groups representing six would-be buyers, the interested and the curious. By then, consultants and friends had convinced Smith that the dream could be real, and toward that end he had already spent $40 million, which he estimated would be half of his ultimate outlay. Fast forward another few decades, though, and Lajitas, TX experienced a curious twist of fate: a corporation from Houston bought the entire town, restored most of the buildings, and turned it into a resort for golfers and visitors exploring Big Bend Country. When I go down there now, all I see are a few workers, but theyre not allowed to talk to anybody. Be aware that cell phones may inadvertently change to Mountain Time and cause you to be an hour behind schedule. Business is apparently booming at its new home, a course that has been perennially named among the top five or so in the state. On the one hand, hes wealthy and owns his own plane. Keep in mind that the second is a somewhat further drive due to the fact that youll need to take a roundabout route to get thereits not nearly as accessible as it looks on a map! On Friday morning, after eating breakfast and making sure the Otherwise youre just buying dirt.. I have stayed here several times before I knew who the owner was. As he walked off I noticed that he was stooped and relying on a cane. A private buyer shipped it to a Lajitas golf course owned by oil and gas billionaire Kelcy Warren almost exactly two years since the Confederate . McGuirk sold his landholdings around Lajitas to Thomas V. Skaggs, who continued farming. We report on vital issues from politics to education and are the indispensable authority on the Texas scene, covering everything from music to cultural events with insightful recommendations. Pamplin and his partners invested $25 million to expand the resort adding a new hotel and increasing the number of golf holes from 9 to 18. Good, 21701 FM 170 Lajitas, Texas 79852 Its not the Grand Canyon, where you park your car, walk to the edge, take a picture, and then say, Okay, lets go to California now. Big Bend tourists want an active part in whats going on. There were weeks of discussion leading up to the 13-1 Council vote on September 5, 2017, ending with it being taken down and stored. When Lajitass marketing team suggested that all the resort needed to take off was a visitor with A-list celebrity credentials, one Tom Cruise or Tiger Woods, Terlingua just laughed. Additionally, there were no televisions, the latter a rarity among communities in the decade. It was live-music night at La Kiva, the best of it played by a young female fiddle player from the Northeast whod put off grad school to take a job at Lajitas. 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. It's a quick trip to Terlingua for other dining options, although we had breakfast at, The morning of our second day we explored the. The biggest attractions that draw visitors to Lajitas, of course, are Big Bend Ranch State Park to the west and Big Bend National Park to the east. Seven or eight hours in a car gives you a sense of how far this is from civilization. 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. In an area known for long drives to reach your destination, waking up just outside the park is a big benefit. There are similar hotels available. .he sounds as if hes remembering the greatest day of his life. Megan's Dog Adventures. Unlike Mr. Smith, whose persona became intertwined with his Dallas sold the statue for $1.4 million in June after the City Council decided to auction it off. was Mr. Warren's first For those traditionally drawn to the place, whether they were rich or poor, comfort wasnt the major consideration. The vision on the porch was of rooms priced at $150 a night and an RV park that is open to snowbirds, that will tolerate the occasional rattletrap trailer. West Texans Are Learning What It Means to Live in Bear Country. Employment Opportunities Checks were cashed and loans were made, and Ivey accepted payment in dollars, pesos, or by barter. But if you just paid $7,000 to fly your jet out there, $900 a night for a condo on the boardwalk, and $165 for greens fees, you expect a little more. 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. [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. Dec. 22, 2007 - LAJITAS, Texas -- Not even $100 million, A few months earlier he had been a passenger in a small plane that had taken off from Lajitas and had run out of gas over Ozona. She said the exclusivity of the resort was like Forrest Wilder writes about politics and the outdoors. Patricia Sharpe writes a regular restaurant column, Pats Pick, for Texas Monthly. But the true injustice came with my breakfast: $33 for coffee, a small bowl of granola, some strawberries, concentrated orange juice, and a cute little box of Special K, like the kind my mom used to provide before she trusted me to pour from the big-boy box. Opponents saw it as an attempt to rewrite history. He was elected in 1986, and for a time, visiting him was one of the most popular things to do in Lajitas, TX. [21], Warren married the former Sherry Johnson on May 18, 1980, in Dallas, and they divorced in 1991. Pizzeria Attendant / Barista; F&B Management. bankruptcy. when Houston real estate developer Walter Mischer Sr. first conceived a In 1977 Ivey sold part of the Lajitas area to Houston entrepreneur Walter M. Mischer, of Mischer Corporation; Mischer had begun development and restoration of the community in 1977, under the name of the corporations subsidiary, Arrow Development Company. [12] Warren received a COVID stimulus check in 2020 as he had reported large losses previously. Of all the wrongheaded moves made at the new Lajitas, it was the sanitization of the trading post that broke the most hearts. And when I tried to pull open my window, the knob should not have come off in my hand. Copyright 20042023 Yelp Inc. Yelp, , and related marks are registered trademarks of Yelp. Andbig bonus for ussome rooms are pet friendly. When I visited the Starlight in October, that waitress was still there. View all View all photos (863) ", "There's a certain kind of people who need this place.". Its just spectacular.. Ivey would even get customers prescriptions filled on his weekly runs to Alpine. [17], The Kelcy Warren Foundation supports the Caddo Lake Institution, an organization with the mission of protecting the ecological, cultural and economic integrity of Caddo Lake and its associated wetlands and watershed. 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. Lajitas officially had a post office as early as 1901, but it did not become operational until McGuirk petitioned for its reestablishment in 1904. 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. For groups of He also donated $103,000 to President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. [7] Warren went to White Oak High School. Lajitas resort avoids foreclosure with bankruptcy court filing. would have millionaires mixing with landscape workers and artists and Ms. Ryan told Mr. Warren she remembers years ago when the bar NewsMcClatchy-Tribune Regional News. [1] It was inhabited by aboriginal Mexicans for many years. McGuirk, who also helped manage the mining company in Terlingua and funded the construction of a church. He even had employees ambush chartered busloads of seniors headed to his hotel, stopping their caravans on the highway and stealing their valuables. Visit hotel website. The name comes from the bars design, a dug-out cave/mineshaft, and it has always had a more permissive atmosphere than the rest of the area. Big Bend is home to a few remarkable communities: Marathon, Study Butte, Terlingua Ghost Town, Lajitas, and Big Bend National Park. Just beyond the far end of the boardwalk, a long, columned breezeway divided the dark, leather-bound Thirsty Goat Saloon and the glass-walled Candelilla Caf overlooking the golf course. In 2015, Governor Greg Abbott of Texas appointed Warren to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission. I hope you have found some useful content on my site today. empty and spiritual. He bought a CD from her and promised Tucked away in Southwest Texas between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend State Park lies the exquisite 27,000 acre Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa. At some point in 2006 Smith decided to stop pouring his own fortune into Lajitas. Beasley doesnt seem concerned about any controversy. [20] He gave $1 million to Greg Abbott after the 2021 legislative session. These activities increased commerce across the Rio Grande into Texas; consequently, by 1900 Lajitas was designated a substation port of entry. I think that's the biggest thing that's When the mines in nearby Terlingua closed in the 1940s, though, Lajitas also became a ghost town, with an estimated population of 4. Rumors from the summer started to resurface. [6], Warren purchased the Roatan Electric Company (RECO) in 2008, where he serves as president and chairman of the board. The three-hundred-yard walk to dinner that night was unlit and took me through a construction pit, and the meal for me and my friend at the gourmet Ocotillo was decent but blandthe venison chop, snapper filet, and rattlesnake cake all tasted like their sauce. He has Owner is the CEO of Energy Transfer. In Rexs time Lajitas consisted of the trading post and an old cavalry post that was used as a hunting lodge, and Rex met Mischer when he came out for deer and dove hunts. state parks, Lajitas has long been one of the stranger outposts of the Ms. Ryan said the area is like a space station, big and fried steak instead of $50 steaks. (Id have liked to watch the baseball playoffs, but I blame TBS for that.) The accommodations themselves truly run the gamut, making use of the original town of Lajitas wherever possible. That's who I want to be and I can't," he On his first day there he got an audience with Smith and a tour of the resort, the scale of which left him impressed. civilization. question. Still, Dennis struck me as an odd person to be championing the resorts willingness to act without a game plan. Plus: FC Dallas in the playoffs and Dak Prescott's long-awaited return. wonder at the house, garden, stones and path running down to the river. In 1986 he sold his Huntsville-based restaurant chain, Tinsleys Chicken and Rolls, and made millions, and he used part of that haul to put a house on the river just upstream from Lajitas. braided. The wild spirit of the Big Bend region is in full effect at this stunning course whose name pays tribute to U.S. Army Gen. John "Black Jack . The old church in the community was restored, and the community grew to have three motels, a hotel, a restaurant, a golf course, a swimming pool, an RV park, and an airstrip. That population boom influenced a boom in another town, just 13 miles away: Lajitas. It is the kind of place where, after a few drinks, youre apt to forget that there are any rules at all. And at that point, reconciling the deserts harshness and beauty is your problem. [11], In 2022, he ranked No. The private owner is Addison-based attorney Ronald Holmes of Holmes Firm PC, a friend of the course who was down in Terlingua for Thursdays dedication. the rich never came in large numbers. Bridlie Hospitality, to operate the resort. From 1996 to 2000, Warren served as a director of Crosstex Energy, Inc. and from 1993 to 1996, he served as president, chief operating officer and a director of Cornerstone Natural Gas, Inc. Warren has more than 25 years of business experience in the energy industry. 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. The resort features an 18-hole golf course a luxury hotel and a variety of amenities and activities for guests to enjoy. Only a few home sites ever sold. A skeet range was put in that had shooters firing over the bike trail. 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. Lajitas Golf Resort accepts credit cards. If you talk to the people who live in South County. The contraband would be returned at a reception when they arrived. Its a small section of the population that gets it out here, she said. With the border now closed, the trading post will never return to its Ivey-era glory. In any event, last summer Lajitas borrowed $12.5 million from a financial house in Connecticut. City documents identified Holmes, but he hadnt hinted at what hed do with his new hunk of Alexander Phimister Proctor-made metal. The resort is currently owned by a group of investors led by Bob McNair. Neither the plane nor its pilot was affiliated with the resort, and Lajitas was in no way responsible for the crash. Still, in a larger sense the buyer and his intentions dont really matter. Mr. Leslie on Friday Smith and a group of hastily scraped-together investors. On the day of the wedding, after our adventure in. 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. Its dangerous. The outing had been arranged in part to show me the way the new folks in Lajitas were being accepted in the community. A private buyer shipped it to a Lajitas golf course owned by oil and gas billionaire Kelcy Warren almost exactly two years since the Confederate General was pulled from its perch in what was then Lee Park. Your News. Daniel Vaughn is the countrys first barbecue editor, and he has eaten more barbecue than you have. About Lajitas Golf Resort. If you fill out the first name, last name, or agree to terms fields, you will NOT be added to the newsletter list. Yes the resort offers weddings and other special events. [19] "It didn't feel right. According to the Handbook of Texas, the community had a population of 75 in 2010. Grass that was seeded on the golf course couldnt survive on the brackish well water. The first white settlers came to the area in the mid-1800s. She also had no way of knowing about the rest of the nights events. But the majority of voices around the horseshoe viewed it as a monument to white supremacy and oppression. Farming along the floodplain caused an even further boom, causing Lajitas to build a store, a saloon, and a custom house in 1912. [5], In 2020, Forbes gave Warren its lowest score for philanthropy, a "1." making money. The result is a resort that is simultaneously swanky with somewhat exclusive vibeshelped along by the fact that there is literally nothing else aroundthat is also far more affordable than you might think. Dallas businessman Kelcy Warren believes he can. Copyright 2023, D Magazine Partners, Inc. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Double check when in the area for the correct local time when visiting. Shes quieter than Tinsley but on the same page. Smiths money was the safety net, the answer to every problem, be it the overall concept or everyday moves that didnt work out. It's a quick trip to Terlingua for other dining options, although we had breakfast at Candelilla and it was fabulous. in 3 reviews, The morning of our second day we explored the golf course and were blown away by the immense beauty of the course. in 23 reviews, On the day of the wedding, after our adventure in Big Bend, we came back to resort and spent time lounging in the pool. in 12 reviews. View 72 homes for sale in Lajitas, TX at a median listing home price of $89,000. If youre traveling on the cheap, that could make a funny story. On the Wide Plains West of Lubbock, a Chainsaw Carver Works From an Old Cotton Gin, Texas Lege Watch: A House Republican Fights for Chicken Freedom, Family Memories Echo Through an East Texas Shoe Shop, Texas Monthly Recognized by ASME in the 2023 National Magazine Awards, Our Guide to Johnson City, Where You Can Stroll to Wineries and Museums. Yes guests are welcome to bring their pets to the resort. Lajitas Golf Resort and Spa HC 70, Box 400, Lajitas, Big Bend National Park, TX 79852 +1 432-424-5000 Website Open now : 07:00 AM - 9:00 PM See all (62) Food Service Value Atmosphere Food and ambience Local cuisine, American, Southwestern The Lajitas Golf Resort is a full-service golf resort and spa located in the Big Bend region of West Texas. NYSE:ETP, By Paul Meyer, The Dallas Morning Leave them blank to get signed up. lodge. Though a biblical rainstorm and lightning display in the night knocked out the resorts electricity for twelve hoursa common desert occurrence that, among other things, might incapacitate an alarm clock and cause one to miss an early tee timehe was still able to get on the course because no one else was playing that day. At first blush, its almost impossible to tell the age of a resident of south Brewster County, and there are two good reasons for that. She was all smiles when I met her, one more witness to the greatness of Lajitas. Please see our, 15 Beautiful Hikes in Big Bend National Park, 7 Best Things to Do in Marathon, TX (+ Tips! As youre exploring Big Bend Country, theres a good chance youll find yourself passing through the blink-and-youll-miss-it town of Lajitas. Black Jack's Crossing at Lajitas Golf Resort. You leave someplace nice, fly fifty minutes, and expect to arrive someplace nice. Commerce was interrupted by Pancho Villa and his bandits, bringing John J. Pershing and his troops to establish a cavalry post there in 1916. kitchen and outdoor shower -- the woman who says she doesn't have Guests can cancel their reservations up to 72 hours prior to arrival for a full refund. Located just east of Big Bend Ranch State Park, a visit to Lajitas, Texas may leave you wondering: is this a town or a resort? The old trading post also remained operational. Order your test online and receive your donor/registration pass by email. Make no mistake, desert life is hard, and the sacrifices required are made hourly. The party was large, maybe ten men and women, all drinking. But the place could be friendlier to residents on this side of the river. The community boomed when quicksilver was discovered 11 miles from the community at the end of the decade. [11] The Robert E. Lee on Traveller statue is on display at the resort. [9] It is located on the Rio Grande, bordering Mexico,[10] between Big Bend National Park and Big Bend Ranch State Park. It looked much the same when Ivey took over the trading post in 1980. 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 6 IMPORTANT TIPS FOR VISITING THE BIG BEND. A stay at Lajitas Golf Resort is an opportunity to step 100 years back into the history of . We also offer our 5 Stand Sporting Clay Shoot, Cowboy Action shoot, Equestrian Center for family horseback rides, and many other profit. He started his career working for the Lone Star Gas Company. Mr. Smith called it the Ultimate Hideout, but I was doctor, vet, lawyer, marriage counselor, pharmacist, and an importer of wax. Lajitas, he hopes, may have another life yet.
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