The Medallion, Volume 51, Number 3, Summer 2013 Page: 9
16 p. : col. ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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An ideal home base is the
remarkable Gage Hotel, built in 1927
for rancher, banker, and businessman
Alfred Gage, who commissioned noted
El Paso architects Trost and Trost to
design the property as a headquarters
for his 500,000-acre ranch. In 1978,
former THC Commissioner J.P. Bryan -I
bought the property, and has carefully y
renovated the hotel with authentic
West Texas and Mexican-inspired
decor, such as hand-crafted rustic
doors, wrought-iron candelabra
fixtures, and appealing adobe
details. The hotel is now managed
by Carol Peterson, wife of current
THC Commissioner Gilbert
"Pete" Peterson.
"The Gage is a true historic
treasure for all travelers who come this
way," Carol Peterson says, encouraging Marathon's Gage Hotel
Landmark, was constru
visitors to experience the lush Gage
Gardens, Desert Moon spa, and regional-themed restaurant.
"It provides a glimpse to the past, and allows guests to enjoy
our unique West Texas history."
The hotel also serves as a hub for the highly
recommended heritage bike route, a five-mile ride to
historic Post Park just south of Marathon
(helpful details about the course and its
historical attractions are available at www.
texasmountaintrail.com/bike). Developed
by Texas Mountain Trail Region Executive
Director Beth Nobles, the scenic route
offers an ideal escape for visitors in search
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activities for travelers of all ages and interests,
mountain biking, horseback riding, bad
however, the park's remote and r
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district is only acces
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www.
www.of a pleasant cycling experience
accompanied by fascinating history,
unencumbered vistas, and a
moderate workout.
"This is a wonderful way to fully
engage your senses in the Texas
Mountain Trail. From a bike, you can
see historic ranches, hear regional
bird calls, and feel the fresh mountain
breeze," Nobles says. "The bike ride
transports visitors to centuries past,
when people traveling on this road had
a very similar perspective from their
horses and wagons."
Cyclists can spend an entire
morning or afternoon exploring the
route's many historical treasures,
including an initial stop at the
Marathon Cemetery. Gravesites
include victims of the 1918 flu
Recorded Texas Historic epidemic as well as Viola Pettus,
a local African American nurse, who
cared for flu and measles patients (she reportedly made
castor oil "really taste good") and attended to children's
medical needs.
The route's destination, Post Park, is also brimming
with significant history. According to Brewster County
historian J. Travis Roberts, Native Americans frequented
the natural springs from at least 7,000 years ago, and
Comanche Indians were involved in a skirmish here with
Buffalo Soldiers and Texas Rangers in 1855. In the early
1930s, Civilian Conservation Corps members constructed
a dam, which forms the park's placid lake, surrounded by
uncommonly lush vegetation and accompanying songbirds.
Cycling and equipment
rental can be arranged by
Gage staff, who take pride
x.us) offers heritage-based in the hotel's growing
including hiking, birding, reputation as a bike-
kpacking, and paddling; friendly destination.
ugged nature should be taken "We're seeing more
ging at the Sauceda historic and more cyclists come
,sible via an unpaved road, and through here to experience
vehicle is recommended for the this beautiful region by
rive. bike," Peterson says. "After
n and exhibits dedicated to
they've traveled across
ailable at Fort Leaton State
the desert and through the
western edge of the park's
ton Warnock Visitor Center mountains, we're happy
stern edge. For information to provide them with additional heritage tourism comfortable place to relax
tions in the area, order a and unwind while being
y of the THC's Texas surrounded by West
in Trail Region travel Texas history." *
at 866.276.6219 or
texastimetravel.com, or visit
texasmountaintrail.com. TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION0
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Texas Historical Commission. The Medallion, Volume 51, Number 3, Summer 2013, periodical, Summer 2013; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth342078/m1/9/: accessed May 7, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Historical Commission.