Things to Do

Valentine’s Day in Valentine Is Just the Ticket

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Tony Maples Photography

 

What could be more romantic than spending Valentine’s Day in Valentine, Texas? According to the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce, “it is the only incorporated city in Jeff Davis County, Texas.” Located on U.S. Hwy 90, the mayor, Jesus Calderon, shared with the Texas Standard that the population is likely around 180 even though the city limits sign says 217. Calderon who goes by “Chuy” has been the mayor for about 40 years, shared the Texas Standard.

Texas is full of quaint and unusual towns with unique names, so why wouldn’t it be home to one of the top places to visit on Valentine’s Day? Complete with an interesting landmark, a post office that gets a ton of business around this time of year, and an annual love fest fast becoming a West Texas tradition not to miss.

Valentine

Photo: Facebook/Big Bend Brewing Company

Valentine, Texas may not be as popular as other destinations, but it sure belongs on any bucket list to visit at least once. Known mainly for its post office today, and the surge of business it gets during Valentine’s, this unique little town is “also known for a little movie called ‘Dancer Texas, population 81’ which was filmed there and the surrounding area in 1997,” according to the Fort Davis Chamber of Commerce.

Many say the town was named Valentine “when a railroad crew of the Southern Pacific Railroad laying tracks heading east from Van Horn stopped there on February 14th, 1882.” Others say it was named for John Valentine, “President of Wells Fargo and a major stockholder in Southern Pacific.”

February is like Christmas for this little town as thousands across the world send in their request to have their Valentine’s postmarked by Valentine, Texas and re-mailed. If you want to try it out this year all you need to do, as shared by fortdavis.com, is the following:

Place your card in an envelope pre-stamped and addressed to the recipient. Place this in another envelope and mail it to:
Postmaster
Valentine, Texas 79854

The postmaster will postmark your envelope with a postmark from Valentine, Texas.

Prada, Marfa, TX

Photo: Facebook/BlackPearl Travato

Interestingly enough, there is a one-of-a-kind landmark deep in the heart of West Texas. Prada Marfa appeared in 2005 as “a new building west of Valentine on highway 90.” There is no gas station, no ATM, and no crime, according to Mayor Calderon as he shared with the Texas Standard. You will, however, find a makeshift storefront with a window display of shoes and items from its fall 2005 collection to stop and gaze upon on your way to Valentine, TX. “In time the earth-friendly building will decay and the display will become a ruin, but for now security alarms buzz at attempts to tamper with the ‘art'”, shared fortdavis.com.

Big Bend Brewing

Photo: Facebook/Big Bend Brewing Company

If you’re looking for a different kind of date night to take your Valentine to, then Valentine, Texas has just the ticket.

The Big Bend Brewing Company is hosting its 6th annual Valentine’s in Valentine event that is fast becoming a West Texas tradition. Each February 14th, the Old Mercantile Building in Valentine, Texas, which the Texas brewing company owner, Matt Kruger, bought, hosts a Valentine party you won’t forget. Complete with food trucks, musicians, and plenty of their homegrown beer and a lumber stage jumping with local talent.

Everyone in Valentine, Texas attends the grand event along with many who make the trek from surrounding West Texas and far away cities as well. It’s also the only night to grab a bottle of the brewery’s Valentine’s Day special beer.

For more about the musical lineup for this love fest happening February 14, 2018, visit bigbendbrewing.com.