Pancho Villa Slept Here

The legend and lore of Lajitas has always included a colorful cast of characters from Pancho Villa and General John “BlackJack” Pershing to the present owner of the 25,000-acre private estate, Lajitas Capital Partners. It is a land with mythical status where the ocean receded millions of years ago leaving dramatic mesas and the dinosaurs roamed freely. Named by the Spanish for the flat, limestone rocks that formed the Rio Grande River bed offering access across the Rio Grande, Lajitas still retains the awe-inspiring beauty that these first European explorers encountered when they claimed this area of Texas.

In the 19th century, Lajitas was known by its transient inhabitants as the San Carlos Crossing and Comanche Crossing--which this nomadic tribe used to cross into Mexico seeking livestock. Today, the Comanche War Trail may still be explored by guests of the resort by horseback. By the late 19th century an array of ranchers, farmers, and mining prospectors had begun to establish a community. The Terlingua Quicksilver District—which extended from Terlingua nearly to Lajitas—drew nearly 2,000 settlers to the area when the Chisos Mine opened in 1903. One of these Anglo settlers, H.W. McGuirk bought land for farming and opened a saloon and store at the turn of the century. He also built the original church, which we now refer to as the Lajitas Chapel.

Pancho Villa is said to have traveled through Lajitas regularly and been the primary reason along with the growing intensity and movement of the Mexican Revolution for General John “Blackjack” Pershing to establish a Cavalry Post in 1916. Today’s Cavalry Post accommodations are situated atop the site of Pershing’s original army outpost.

When the revolution ended, Lajitas returned to a sleepy town of trade—across the border—and farming, and the Lajitas Trading Post became a place to meet, drink, and purchase or trade provisions. The original Trading Post is still a source of provisions—and a popular place to buy Lone Star Beer for the mayor—Clay Henry.

The late 70’s brought a Houstonian by the name of Walter Mischer to the Big Bend Region. A realtor by profession, he had become interested in buying property in the region and purchased Lajitas with a Palm Springs venture in mind. Mr. Mischer was concerned with preservation of the unique history of Lajitas and is credited with accurately restoring the Lajitas Chapel and the Cavalry Post. True to his vision, he created the Lajitas boardwalk and a nine-hole golf course.

When Mr. Mischer decided it was time to move on to other ventures, he put the town of Lajitas up for auction. 

Today, his vision is a reality in this exquisitely remote destination.