A Marfa "cultural icon of heritage tourism," Building 98, was built between 1895 and 1920 at old Fort Russell, as a United States horse cavalry post. It houses the largest collection of WWII POW murals still in existence in the United States. These murals were created in two huge rooms within the 12,000 square foot property during WWII by two German prisoners of war. These German artists were amon
g the 186 POWs billeted at Fort Russell at the request of General George Patton. According to the 1929 Geneva Convention, "important prisoners already acclimated to the area in which they were captured, should be relocated as prisoners to a like climate. The climate of Fort Russell in the Big Bend of Texas is much like that of North Africa. The fresco design murals at Building 98 and the total property were designated a National Historic Place in 2004 by the United States Department of the Interior and designated as a Recorded Historic Texas Landmark in 2005 by the Texas Historical Commission. Tours by reservation can be organized by calling (432) 386-8212 or (432) 729-4826.
