From Mining Headquarters to Mountain Haven: Casa Grande’s Story
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Time to read 3 min
Tucked into the Tres Cuevas Mountain lies Casa Grande, a recently renovated, 3,000-square-foot retreat with panoramic desert views and a story that runs as deep as the West Texas soil beneath it. Now part of The Summit at Big Bend, this distinctive home once served as the headquarters for the historic Lone Star Mining Company, a key player in the cinnabar boom that put Terlingua on the map. Today, Casa Grande blends rustic charm, modern comfort, and an incredible legacy that makes it more than just a place to stay, it’s a place to connect with the land’s past and present.
Modern Comfort Meets Historic Character
Casa Grande comfortably sleeps up to six guests across three bedrooms and two bathrooms, offering plenty of space to relax and recharge. The open floor plan highlights a fusion of modern finishes and rustic details, from the well-equipped kitchen and large living area to the central heat and air system. High-speed Wi-Fi, a washer/dryer, and a master bath enhance the stay with practical comfort, while the private outdoor patio and fire pit invite guests to experience the untamed beauty of Big Bend. One of its most appreciated features is an automatic backup generator, ensuring reliable comfort even during outages.
The master bedroom at Casa Grande is a calming, curated space designed for comfort and relaxation. With warm wood-beamed ceilings, earthy terracotta floors, and natural textures throughout, it creates a cozy desert-modern aesthetic that instantly feels like home. A pair of soft armchairs provide a quiet space to unwind, and a large mirror reflects the soft desert light. You’ll then find the expansive master bathroom, anchored by a dual-sink vanity crafted from rich wood and natural stone. A stunning walk-in shower with a skylight and open, spa-like design invites you to refresh under natural light, surrounded by greenery, and clean lines. It’s a peaceful, luxurious space that makes even simple routines feel indulgent.
Wild Desert Views & Dark Skies
Set amid unspoiled desert terrain, Casa Grande offers guests an immersive experience in the Chihuahuan Desert. The landscape surrounding the home is pure wilderness, no houses, no highways, no distractions. What guests do see? Wide-open skies, jagged mountain ridges, and unforgettable sunsets that melt into starlit nights.
Relax in a hammock and soak in the views
Just outside your door, a network of private desert trails awaits. With over 1,000 acres of exclusive terrain on The Summit’s property, guests can wander through wild desert arroyos, climb ridgelines with panoramic views, and discover natural beauty in every direction. These on-site hiking paths give you direct access to the soul of West Texas, with no crowds, no traffic, and no limits to where your boots can take you.
The Lone Star Mining Legacy
Long before Casa Grande became a luxury desert escape, it was the original headquarters of the Lone Star Mining Company, a cornerstone of Terlingua’s late 19th and early 20th-century mining rush.
In the 1880s, prospectors discovered cinnabar, the vibrant red ore from which mercury, then known as quicksilver is extracted. This launched a mining boom, and companies like Lone Star and the Chisos Mining Company built entire communities in the desert, complete with company housing, schools, and industrial bunkhouses.
Casa Grande was at the heart of it all, overseeing operations on Tres Cuevas Mountain. Just below Casa Grande sits Casa del Sol, once one of the bunkhouse where miners lived and worked.
Conceptual rendering of Casa Grande as it may have appeared in its earliest form
A Place Where History Lives On
The mining days are long gone, but the sense of purpose and place remains. Staying at Casa Grande is more than a vacation, it’s a chance to sleep in a building that helped shape the region’s history. The bones of the Lone Star Mining Company remain in its walls, even as its interiors have transformed into something truly elevated.
Whether you're sitting around the fire pit beneath a sea of stars or sipping coffee with the desert waking up around you, Casa Grande is where West Texas stories are still being written.
