The Marfa Lights have been confounding residents and
visitors as to their origins for over a century of recorded history of the Big
Bend. When I pulled into the viewing area off of US90, nine miles east of Marfa
just before sundown there were already half a dozen cars parked in the area. It
was like any other afternoon at a park, except for the eager anticipation in
the dry desert air.
As the sun dipped behind the Chinati Mountains, the air began to cool
quickly even after a hot July day. The mountains became a dark outline on the
horizon and all eyes strained across Mitchell Flat hoping to see the first
flicker of light.
The crowd let out a collective sigh when the first light flashed on, but it
turned out to be a light at a distant ranch. Then someone yelped, “There’s
one,” and the crowd rushed to get a better look. In the distance (I have no
idea how far), to the right of a transmission tower’s red beacons were spots of
light as brilliant as stars.
For the next hour, the light show continued against the dark mountains. Some
of the lights were dim, others were bright, some moved, some were stationary.
There seemed to be no real pattern in size, shape, or location. Some of the
lights seemed to be halfway up the mountains, while others were just above the
desert floor. Some of the lights were flashes, while other lights lasted long
enough to point out to the person standing next to you. The Marfa Lights are
not a light show like the Aurora Borealis, but it is enough to send tingles
down your spine. Anna Reyes at the Marfa Chamber of Commerce said the best time
to see the lights is just after sundown.
No explanation has been generally accepted for the lights first reported by
cattle drivers in the 1800s. “They’re a mystery,” Reyes said. Old-timers say
the lights are the spirits of the Chinati Apaches who were taken from the
mountains and sold into slavery in Mexico. Other theories blame the lights on
swamp gases, phosphorescent minerals, mirages, static electricity,
piezoelectricity, and car lights. For more information on Marfa, call the
Chamber of Commerce at 915/729-4942.
This weekend…
Marfa Lights Festival celebrates the mysterious lights on Labor Day weekend
with a street dance and lots of activity on the courthouse lawn, Aug. 30-Sept.
1. 915/729-4942.
Oatmeal Festival became too big for Oatmeal, so portions of the
celebration were moved to nearby Bertram for a weekend of fun, food, music, and
shopping, Aug. 30-31. 512/355-2197.
Kerrville Wine & Music Festival combines Texas songwriters and
wines at the Quiet Valley Ranch for a relaxing weekend, Aug. 30-Sept. 1.
800/435-8429.
Westfest celebrates the Czech heritage of West with polka bands and authentic
food, Aug. 30-Sept. 1. 817/826-5058.
Laborfest at Luckenbach features Jerry Jeff Walker and others for a day
of music, Sept. 1. 512/469-7469.
Coming up…
Sun & Star 1996: A 100 Day Celebration of Japanese Culture is the largest
festival of Japanese culture ever brought to America and will feature film,
art, dance, and music events centered around Dallas/Ft. Worth with segments
touring around the state, Sept. 4-Dec. 1. 800/605-2726 or
http://cityview.com/dallas.
This article appears in August 30 • 1996 and August 30 • 1996 (Cover).
