By Zach Daniels
“It’s an isolated place. It takes some effort to get here. The isolation just isn’t the geographic isolation, it’s isolated from your traditional goods and services. You get used to doing most of your shopping at the Dollar General. And it’s just okay, it’s just fine. You know everyone, you know everyone’s business. It has a lot of small-town qualities, but Marfa is unique in that it does have a significant overlay of the arts. It’s one of the most important small towns in America in terms of diverse group of arts.”
This was how Tim Crowley, the owner of the Hotel Saint George, described Marfa, Texas. He sure was right, because it did take some effort to get here.
Once we rolled into town, we were all eager to get inside our new hotel rooms at the very fancy Hotel Saint George. Upon arrival, we had difficulty getting into our rooms due to an apparent sabotage by a former employee who messed up our booking. After a few phone calls, all was figured out.
We were given special treatment due to us being associated with Texas Tech, as the owner of the Hotel Saint George happens to be a Texas Tech graduate himself. Tim Crowley graduated from Texas Tech with a theater degree and owns the Saint George Hotel in Marfa.
Crowley comes off as a very average mild-mannered man, but this former theater kid is now a kingpin of historic Marfa.
Crowley has a deep appreciation for the unique beauty and culture of the region, which led him to invest in the revitalization of Marfa’s historic downtown.
Crowley’s vision for the Saint George Hotel was to create a luxurious yet authentic retreat that celebrates the spirit of Marfa while offering world-class amenities and accommodations. His commitment to preserving the hotel’s historic charm while incorporating modern design elements has earned the Saint George Hotel recognition as one of the premier destinations in West Texas.
In addition to his work in hospitality, Crowley is also a patron of the arts, supporting local artists and cultural initiatives in Marfa and beyond. He understands the importance of art in enriching communities and fostering creativity, and he has played a key role in promoting Marfa as a hub for art, theater, and culture.
Crowley’s dedication to excellence and his deep roots in Texas have helped make the Saint George Hotel a beloved landmark in Marfa, attracting visitors from around the world who come to experience the town’s unique blend of artistic inspiration and West Texas hospitality. Under his leadership, the hotel continues to thrive as a vibrant center for creativity, relaxation, and community.
We were fortunate enough to be in Marfa on the day of Mr. Crowley’s birthday. We were invited to a lavish pool across the street from the hotel. The tranquil blue water surrounded by cabanas and a bar felt like a mirage in the scalding Marfa summer heat. Before friends and family of Crowley poured in and drinks were passed around, I got the chance to sit down with Crowley to discuss life living so close to the border.
“The border is safe. You know it’s porous. Now some people view porous as unsafe. But there’s many places you can walk across the Rio Grande, or you can pay someone a dollar and they’ll row you across to go to a restaurant.”
Mr. Crowley is very passionate about theater and Texas Tech, so appropriately he is huge supporter of Texas Tech Theater Department.
“For a couple of weeks in the summer the theater department brings a group of kids, usually I think it’s in the twenties or so, and a few faculty members and they stay for a couple of weeks. They use the theater here and they do programming, and they seem to enjoy it and the people in the theater department like the program.”
Crowley is very casual about living on the border, to him it is one of the many perks of living here. He is aware of the danger, but believes it is easy to stay out of trouble.
“When the theater kids come and stay here, we take them to Mexico. It’s safe, it’s fine. If you get in trouble over there, you really had to know in advance you were doing something that you shouldn’t be doing.”
“It’s not unsafe, to the extent that there’s any illegal activities that are happening, they want to get out of here as fast as possible. No one is crossing the border to stay immediately adjacent to the border.”
Tim Crowley does see danger in the borderlands. The environment of the borderlands is punishing. The luxury of a pool acts as a refreshing reminder of how precious water is in this place.
“Occasionally there’s some tragic things where people are passing through, like backpacking. The desert here is huge and hot. It’s very, very dangerous to try and walk in across the deserts here, and it should be discouraged because people do die. It’s just not safe.”
Marfa, Texas, serves as a compelling case study of how a small town can evolve into a culturally rich and diverse community, maintaining a balance between tradition and modernity. The town’s residents each contribute to the unique character and spirit of Marfa. Their collective presence fosters an environment where independence, creativity, and resilience are not just valued but are essential to the community’s identity.
As Marfa continues to attract a varied populace, it stands as a vibrant testament to the dynamic interplay of cultural innovation and historical preservation. This fusion not only defines the current landscape of Marfa but also hints at a potential for future growth and a better understanding of Texas culture.
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