Quaint Bed and Breakfast in Old Ranching Town

Matador, Texas, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary as an incorporated town with a parade, stagecoach rides, and an antique car show. Hotel Matador Bed and Breakfast dates back to 1914, so it’s nearly as old as the downtown area itself. The hotel still has its original oak floors, and during recent renovations, it's been furnished with a white tin ceiling, vented skylights, and a full-wall barber mirror that add to the property's old-fashioned feel. Owners Linda, Caron, and Marilynn—all sisters—have a stake in the town's history, too, as their family ties to the community stretch back for five generations.

Many of the guest rooms at Hotel Matador are named after some of the owners' ancestors. Meddie's Quilt room, for example, comes decorated with colorful quilts to memorialize the owners’ grandmother's appreciation for the art. Along those lines, each room follows a subtle theme. The Library room has shelves filled with books and a stately reading desk. The Matador Ranch room references the town's ranching heritage with cowboy-inspired bedding and wall art. In Jenny's room and Olive's Iris room, the two largest rooms, you'll have a bit more space to lounge around or stage a tag-team pillow fight. A complimentary gourmet breakfast is served every morning in the dining room.

West Texas: Open Plains and Small Towns Steeped in Ranching Traditions

Matador is situated in the Caprock foothills of West Texas, an area defined by its vast open plains and arid deserts. It's a far cry from the metro areas where most of the state's residents live; such seclusion is one of the region's distinctive charms. It's also a premier hunting destination populated by wild quail, turkeys, and mule deer. You can also tour the area's restored frontier forts and 17th-century Spanish missions near El Paso.

To learn a little more about the local history, check out the Motley County Historical Museum, which is housed within the former Traweek Hospital building. One room showcases a diorama of early ranch life; another focuses on Native American culture. You'll see artifacts such as historical firearms, tools, and school items. For a more comprehensive look at the area's farming past, trek to the National Ranching Heritage Center. Located in Lubbock—about 90 minutes from Hotel Matador—this museum has nearly 40 relocated historical buildings available for touring, including a dugout dwelling and a log cabin from the 19th century.

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