Applied Research in Economic Development, vol. 5, issue 3, December 2008 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD DEVELOPERS: THE STRANGE TALE OF AN ARTS BOOM, BOHEMIANS, AND "MARFALAFEL" IN THE HIGH DESERT OF MARFA, TEXAS Michael Seman Research Associate, Center for Economic Development and Research, University of North Texas ________________________________________________________________________ Executive Summary. Marfa, Texas is an international arts-based tourism hotspot, a growing artistic “haven,” and a popular location for second homes and part-time residents. The town welcomes thousands of visitors yearly, is home to multiple galleries and artists, and has recently hosted two high-profile Hollywood film productions. Marfa’s rise to global prominence is unique in that it was a tiny, dying town deep in the heart of West Texas — a remote, sparsely populated region of the state. The town’s fortunes reversed by chance, not by design, with the 1994 death of resident and globally recognized artist, Donald Judd. This event triggered rapid and largely unplanned E.D. based on his legacy. By examining Marfa, one can assess both the potential and the challenges that arts-based tourism can provide for increasingly remote rural locations. High culture in the high desert The night begins with an eclectic culinary experience at a local bistro, and then moves to an outdoor concert by indie rock pioneers Sonic Youth. The evening finishes hours later with casual debate amongst friends concerning which post-modern artist is most influential. Before goodbyes, plans are made to meet for lattes the next morning wherein the day’s gallery browsing will be set. The evening described is like many others for those that pursue cultural interests in cities across the globe. Considered in a geographic context, however, the evening takes on a surreal quality as the town and its cultural aficionados are three hours from the closest airport and surrounded by the vast, empty expanse of West Texas (Map 1). Despite this, the remote town of Marfa, Texas, with a population of just over 2,000 has become a major fixture on the international art map, and an increasingly desirable film location. Direct effects of this recent boom are a rapidly redeveloping physical landscape and an influx of artists and part-time residents. At the same time, this new economic boom is also a burden to some. Home valuations are skyrocketing while the household median income remains slightly more than half the national figure. A look at the town’s boom and bust cycle is important to a better understanding of how Marfa’s transformation started. Boom, bust, and Donald Judd The history of Marfa, Texas, the county seat for Presidio County, is one shared by many West Texas towns—a cycle of boom and bust initiated by the railroad that made its way through the town in the late 19th century. Marfa initially served as a stop between San Antonio and El Paso, but ranchers soon leveraged the railroad’s potential to establish the town as a hub for wool, mohair, and cattle. The first half of the