marfa

Marfa is a small city in Presidio County, Far West Texas, United States. It sits in the Trans-Pecos region near the Chinati Mountains along U.S. Route 90, within the Chihuahuan Desert. It is the county seat of Presidio County.

Historically, Marfa grew in the late 19th century as a railroad stop and ranching center, when the area was being developed for cattle and mining.

Today it is known for its arts and cultural scene. The Chinati Foundation, founded in the 1980s by Donald Judd, houses a collection of large-scale minimalist works and permanent installations. The town supports a network of galleries, artist studios, and cultural events that attract visitors year-round.

Marfa is also famous for the Marfa lights, a long-observed phenomenon of mysterious lights seen at night in the surrounding desert.

Economy centers on tourism and the arts, with boutique hotels, restaurants, and shops complementing a working ranching sector. The climate is semiarid, with hot summers, cool winters, and low annual rainfall.

As of the 2020s, Marfa maintains a small population, with residents living across ranches and the town core.