The redevelopment of the historic Silver Mine Store in Shafter is nearing completion, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to restore and reactivate the former mining town west of Presidio.
The Silver Mine Store, which once served as a supply point for travelers and residents in the early 1970s, is being converted into a bar, restaurant, and small retail space intended to serve visitors and the surrounding community. For decades, Shafter residents have had to travel to Presidio or Marfa for basic goods and services.
Recent work on the building included the removal of a studio addition constructed by previous occupants and the stripping of adobe plaster to return the structure to its original finish. During the process, historic Harold and Mollie Biediger signage was briefly revealed before being repainted. Similar restoration work has been completed on other structures in Shafter as part of a broader effort to return buildings to their original design and construction.
Additional visible changes include the clearing of vegetation around the church and along and behind the Howell Store extending toward Cibolo Creek. Although currently dry due to prolonged drought, Cibolo Creek has historically flowed year-round during periods when monsoon rains replenished the local aquifer, supporting lines of cottonwood trees along its banks.
The project is associated with John Poindexter, the billionaire owner of Cibolo Creek Ranch, who has been involved in multiple preservation and redevelopment efforts in the Big Bend region. In 2022, Poindexter announced plans to purchase the defunct silver mine through his nonprofit, Tidewater & Big Bend Foundation, with the goal of transforming the area into a living-history destination featuring museums and historical interpretation. That proposal did not move forward after the Canadian company that owns the mine declined the offer.
Despite the mine acquisition falling through, redevelopment efforts within Shafter have continued. With the Silver Mine Store now close to completion, the project represents one of the most visible steps toward restoring services and activity in a town that has remained largely dormant for decades.
