Wondering how to have a Wildcatter Weekend in rural West Texas? Look no further than the historic Gage Hotel in Marathon. Nestled in the Texas Mountain Trail Region and surrounded by the Chihuahuan Desert, the Gage offers authentic, laid-back luxury with premier accommodations, and is steeped in a rich Texas history.
The legendary hotel was brought to life by two Wildcatters. Though they never met and are separated by decades, Alfred S. Gage and J.P. Bryan shared a vision for the future. In 1927, after coming to Texas to explore the vast ranching opportunity, Gage commissioned acclaimed architect, Henry Trost, to build the legendary hotel. Unfortunately, Gage died one year after the hotel opened for business. For several decades, the hotel continued to serve those who ventured into the region, housing high-profile guests including Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum and writer Zane Grey, who, as legend has it, penned his most famous Wild West novel, Riders of the Purple Sage, at the Gage. However, the lack of commerce in the small town of Marathon eventually eroded its population and guests of the hotel dwindled – for many years, the hotel offered little more than haunted hallways. Then, in 1978, Bryan, a descendant of Stephen F. Austin, the founding “Father of Texas”, purchased the hotel and continued on with Gage’s original vision. With a passion for the Big Bend region and Texas history, Bryan has spent the last four decades thoughtfully restoring the hotel into a beautiful escape in this scenic West Texas town.
Today, guests of the Gage will enjoy top-notch accommodations with a choice between the historic hotel, the pueblo style adobe brick “Los Portales” rooms, or the luxury casitas. The 45- room hotel offers guests a multitude of amenities and activities, including a full service spa, heated swimming pool, 27-acre landscaped native garden, and fitness center. After a long day of relaxation, settle in with a Texas Old Fashioned or a Prickly Pear Margarita at the famed White Buffalo Bar, voted “best hotel bar” by Texas Monthly Magazine. Following cocktail hour, guests can venture into the newly renovated 12 Gage Restaurant. Serving Texas inspired specialties with a gourmet twist, the Gage Hotel’s award-winning restaurant offers delectable fare like the stuffed quail and the elk and buffalo meatloaf. The Gage Hotel combines the Wildcatter spirit with a luxury retreat that has both unparalleled service and unique Texas charm. It is more than just a Texas hotel to hang your hat; it is a full on experience.