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I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd never heard of Judge Bean. We were traveling from the Big Bend to San Antonio and decided to take an alternative route to I10. My wife spotted Judge Roy Bean's visitor center so we decided to take a look. Langtry is remote and there's very little to it apart from the visitor center and the smallest post office I've ever seen. There is a small general store but it's hit and miss as to weather it's gonna be open. There's no place to get food or drinks so make sure you have your own. The visitor center is great and the staff are fantastic. It's a really clean, modern facility that seems out of place in such a small town. The restrooms were spotless - always a plus! As well as Judge Bean's House and Saloon, there is also a cactus garden to walk through. We didn't do the cactus walk but the house and saloon were great. I'm definitely on a mission now to find out more about the Judge!
This is a must-see attraction if you ever find yourself in the area of Del Rio. Head on up the road just a bit and check this place out. It's a Texas Department of Traffic (TX-DOT) Visitor Center with a modern building up front. The visitor center has air conditioning, Wi-Fi (no cell signal in most parts of this rugged country), real bathrooms with running water, and a water fountain. Lots of Judge Roy Bean artifacts on display in the visitor center (did I mention it is air conditioned?). Plenty of information about Judge Roy Bean and his apparent infatuation with Lilly Langtry included inside the visitor center. After you check out the modern visitor center (did I mention it is air conditioned?), mosey on out the back door and take a look at the ORIGINAL Jersey Lilly bar room where the Judge also held court in the wild west town of Langtry. Right next to the Jersey Lilly is Roy Bean's Opera House (named as such in order to encourage the famous Lilly Langtry to visit his little town). I'm not sure if this building is the original building because I don't remember it being there the last time I visited many, many moons ago. After you check out these two buildings, take a stroll through the awesome cactus garden that is also located behind the visitor center (did I mention the visitor center is air conditioned?). My photo of the cactus garden doesn't do it justice. There are quite a variety of cactus here with placards near each one naming them and describing their traits. It was pretty interesting. If you are looking for anything else to do in Langtry, forget about it. There are absolutely zero businesses located here anymore. The ONLY thing here now is the TX-DOT Visitor Center. It's worth the drive from Del Rio and elsewhere if you are nearby. It's also pretty close the the "High Bridge" that crosses the Pecos River - you have GOT to get out of your car and check out the scenery there - it is breath taking.
You're looking at the original Jersey Lily where Judge Roy Bean kept court and tended bar. And while he's buried in Del Rio with his son, you can stand in the room where he took his last breath. His home still stands a few yards away...also known as the cities Opera House, so named to encourage Lillie Langtry to visit. What remains of the city has been reduced to more of a community. You can drive over and look at the spot where Judge Bean hosted a major prize fight on a sandbar in the middle of the Rio Grande to keep the US from bothering him. He was a true character and the visitor center folks do a fine job keeping the area fun for travellers stopping by. One of the nicest visitors centers in Texas. I do love air conditioning, clean bathrooms, and free travel guides! They also have a really pretty cactus garden and some great displays that give you the true flavor of the Wild West that was West Texas back at the turn of the century.
A quick detour to this memorial site for the famous Judge Bean. Visitor center is amazing! Museum and buildings have been remodeled to replicate the street of the "trial". Self guided tour is free and informative. Visitor center has a packet of Texas maps and information. Very knowledgeable staff. Parking is easy and there is room for trailers. Across the street from post office were you can mail the free postcards they give you. read more
Do not drive pass this Visitor Center without stopping !!! Super friendly Staff in one of the most impressive Visitor Centers we have been in. Despite going through renovations on the outside (the Historic Park) it is still worth a stop. They have exhibits and a couple of informative films you can watch. They also have cancelation stamps (like the NP'S) - you just have to ask at info counter. I cannot say enough how helpful & friendly the Staff is and full of information on the area. Pointed out the historic hanging tree & overlook across the street. Only improvement suggestion would be a vending machine with cold drinks. read more
You have to stop here! Easy Solid Five Stars for many reasons. It's a Texas Visitor Center. One of the best I've ever seen and in the middle of nowhere Super friendly staff Beautiful grounds reflective of the surrounding desert...top notch And finally...drum roll...Judge Roy Bean museum!!! Highway 90 in south Texas from Marfa to San Antonio is one of those drives that's disappearing because of population growth. On this wide open road you are likely to see no other vehicles for miles. Cutting through the desert on this long road I passed a sign, Langtry Texas 7 miles. That got me thinking....hum... Langtry Texas..that's familiar but I don't know why. Shortly I realized why when the next sign announced Texas Visitor Center and Judge Roy Bean Museum. Wow! Judge Roy Bean was the Justice of the Peace in Langtry. More often than not taking the law into his own hands and dispensing justice on the spot. His saloon,billiards parlor and office are here on the original site. While I'm sure repairs and wood replacement has taken place over that period. In places it's obvious what is original. It helps that this area gets little rain. Also at this center is a nicely cared for garden that reflects the surrounding desert. As a matter of fact,there is one place you can stand looking out at the garden and fence that separates from the indistinguishable desert outside the fence. Beautifully done. Lastly,on the road to Langtry I passed a couple on a tandem bicycle. When I finished my visit and walking back to my vehicle,I noticed the biking couple had pulled up. I engaged them in friendly conversation and found they'd left Seattle a year ago on their bike. Welcome to Texas! Chances are most reading this will never be here. However,if you ever find yourself on Hwy 90 in Langtry Texas you must.... Go!!!! read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
I'm embarrassed to admit that I'd never heard of Judge Bean. We were traveling from the Big Bend to San Antonio and decided to take an alternative route to I10. My wife spotted Judge Roy Bean's visitor center so we decided to take a look. Langtry is remote and there's very little to it apart from the visitor center and the smallest post office I've ever seen. There is a small general store but it's hit and miss as to weather it's gonna be open. There's no place to get food or drinks so make sure you have your own. The visitor center is great and the staff are fantastic. It's a really clean, modern facility that seems out of place in such a small town. The restrooms were spotless - always a plus! As well as Judge Bean's House and Saloon, there is also a cactus garden to walk through. We didn't do the cactus walk but the house and saloon were great. I'm definitely on a mission now to find out more about the Judge! read more
This is a must-see attraction if you ever find yourself in the area of Del Rio. Head on up the road just a bit and check this place out. It's a Texas Department of Traffic (TX-DOT) Visitor Center with a modern building up front. The visitor center has air conditioning, Wi-Fi (no cell signal in most parts of this rugged country), real bathrooms with running water, and a water fountain. Lots of Judge Roy Bean artifacts on display in the visitor center (did I mention it is air conditioned?). Plenty of information about Judge Roy Bean and his apparent infatuation with Lilly Langtry included inside the visitor center. After you check out the modern visitor center (did I mention it is air conditioned?), mosey on out the back door and take a look at the ORIGINAL Jersey Lilly bar room where the Judge also held court in the wild west town of Langtry. Right next to the Jersey Lilly is Roy Bean's Opera House (named as such in order to encourage the famous Lilly Langtry to visit his little town). I'm not sure if this building is the original building because I don't remember it being there the last time I visited many, many moons ago. After you check out these two buildings, take a stroll through the awesome cactus garden that is also located behind the visitor center (did I mention the visitor center is air conditioned?). My photo of the cactus garden doesn't do it justice. There are quite a variety of cactus here with placards near each one naming them and describing their traits. It was pretty interesting. If you are looking for anything else to do in Langtry, forget about it. There are absolutely zero businesses located here anymore. The ONLY thing here now is the TX-DOT Visitor Center. It's worth the drive from Del Rio and elsewhere if you are nearby. It's also pretty close the the "High Bridge" that crosses the Pecos River - you have GOT to get out of your car and check out the scenery there - it is breath taking. read more
4 years ago
Beautifully done visitors center. Everything is clean and orderly and the staff was informative and so friendly. There were so many things to see and do. Outsoors was the saloon and opera house and also a butterfly garden and amazing cactus garden. read more
You're looking at the original Jersey Lily where Judge Roy Bean kept court and tended bar. And while he's buried in Del Rio with his son, you can stand in the room where he took his last breath. His home still stands a few yards away...also known as the cities Opera House, so named to encourage Lillie Langtry to visit. What remains of the city has been reduced to more of a community. You can drive over and look at the spot where Judge Bean hosted a major prize fight on a sandbar in the middle of the Rio Grande to keep the US from bothering him. He was a true character and the visitor center folks do a fine job keeping the area fun for travellers stopping by. One of the nicest visitors centers in Texas. I do love air conditioning, clean bathrooms, and free travel guides! They also have a really pretty cactus garden and some great displays that give you the true flavor of the Wild West that was West Texas back at the turn of the century. read more
9 years ago
Very neat and interesting place to visit. The lady behind the counter at the visiting center was extremely nice and helpful. She was very knowledgeable as well. Nice little stop to rest your legs and move around after traveling for so many hours. read more
9 years ago
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10 years ago
