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In 1907,
ranching brothers Pat and John Landergin purchased part of the LS
Ranch, bringing in more settlers to the community. The next year
the Landergins established a bank and when the railroad was completed
in 1908, the town added a number of stores, two churches, a hotel and
a blacksmith shop. Coming into its own, a newspaper called the
Vega Sentinel was founded in March, 1909. Continuing to
thrive, the Vega Sentinel proclaimed in 1914 of Vega:
HOME OF
OPPORTUNITY -- VEGA HAS THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS PLACES
Grandest Hotels in the County
Largest Bank in County
Only Printing Office in County
n 1915
Vega won a
five-year battle with nearby town of Tascosa for the rights of County
Seat. The county business was, at first, conducted in the Oldham
Hotel until a permanent courthouse could be built. It wasn’t
until 1927 that the town finally incorporated. Just a few years
later, on May 3, 1931, a fire leveled six of its downtown buildings
west of the courthouse square. Unfortunately, another fire just
two months later destroyed two more businesses north of the square and
Vega got busy with
establishing a formal water system within the town.
When
Route 66
arrived, Vega
began to really develop with tourist courts, gas stations, shops and
services for the many travelers of the
Mother Road.
Today, this small farm and ranching community of
just under 1000 residents, continues to cater to travelers with several
motels and great eating establishments. A drive down old
Route 66
provides plenty of photo opportunities as you view the former glory of the
Mother Road. Be sure to check out the old Magnolia
Gas Station, which
has now been restored by the City of Vega with the help of the
National Parks Service
Route 66
Corridor Preservation Program. Dating back to the early 1920s, it was
the second service station built in the small town. Today, it provides
a great picnic spot, a glimpse
into simpler times, and wonderful photo opportunities.
Just across the street from the old Magnolia Station is the Roark Hardware Store
--
the oldest operating hardware store on the
Mother Road.
A stop in here will make you feel as if you’re walking into a past time zone
as you view a wide variety of
farming implements, household supplies, gifts and toys.
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Route
66 Signs 
