12 Towns in Texas With Rich History
Renowned for its hospitality and often unfairly stereotyped as a dry, desert state, Texas stands out for its rich and culturally diverse history. Beyond settler history that helped shape these welcoming American communities, the Lone Star State has been home to Native tribes for thousands of years. With European influence from various countries like Spain and Germany and its location near international borders, these 12 towns in Texas with rich history comprise a blend of cultures, historical tales, and touristy landmarks. From the Spanish-influenced town of Presidio on the Mexican border to the German-settled town of Fredericksburg, read along to plan your historic adventure through one of America's largest states.
Jefferson
The welcoming town of Jefferson, once known as the "Bed and Breakfast Capital of Texas," is a historic escape for its Wild West-themed atmosphere and endless lodging options. This small town in Texas is one of the only destinations to experience Texas as you see it in the movies, with traditional wooden storefronts, vintage neon signs, and a rugged yet classic ambiance. Jefferson is also an excellent stop to learn about national history in the south with must-see destinations like the Jefferson Historical Museum housed in the former federal courthouse. Or, there are more quirky experiences like the Scarlett O’Hardy’s Gone with the Wind Museum.
Stay at locally acclaimed lodging options for the full southern experience, with popular options like Delta Street Inn, Kennedy Manor Bed & Breakfast, and the 170-year-old The Historic Jefferson Hotel.
Goliad
Goliad is best recognized as the land where the Goliad Massacre of the Texas Revolution took place, and it stands as an essential landmark for Texans and Americans alike. Goliad is also one of Texas’s oldest Spanish colonial municipalities, established by European colonizer José de Escandón in 1749. Historic attractions in the area include remnants of the Spanish Colonial era, like the Spanish cathedral Mission Espiritu Santo, the Goliad Markethouse Museum, which served as a community market in past times, and the castle-like Second Empire-style courthouse.
Goliad is also rich with nature, as visitors also frequent the small city for its Paddling trail, a narrow 6.6 mile stretch of the river passing under Highway 59, and Goliad State Park, where visitors can camp amidst vibrant, lush nature. As one of the first Spanish colonies, Goliad is home to a range of excellent dining options, from La Bahia Restaurant And Cantina, offering a cultural fusion of tastes, to the upscale atmosphere of the Hanging Tree Restaurant, known for its southern hospitality and delectable regional dishes.
Nacogdoches
No list of Texas towns with rich history is complete without including Nacogdoches, the oldest small town nicknamed the Garden Capital of Texas, with a colonial history that goes back to 1779. Named after the land’s original tribe that dates back over 1,300 years, some of the town’s main attractions include the Durst Taylor House, which stands out as the oldest colonial-built home in town, the Nacogdoches Railroad Depot, and eclectic local shops of antiques and more that add to the historical experience.
Brick Street Antiques, Auntie Q’s Antiques, and local community markets like Appleby Community Farm are a few of the many old businesses in the area where visitors can get closer to past times through a one-of-a-kind local shopping experience.
Lockhart
Lockhart is one of the larger historic communities in Texas and is state-renowned for its exceptional local cuisine, given its nickname "The Barbecue Capital Of Texas." Sitting 30 miles south of Austin, the Capital City of Texas, Lockhart makes the perfect city escape town or family road-trip destination.
While a visit to Lockhart is mainly planned for its abundance of quality cuisine, other quirky destinations to check out include the Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches, the Dr. Eugene Clark Library, and the Caldwell County Museum. When visiting Lockhart, try out some of its oldest restaurants and diners, like Blacks Barbecue, Chisholm Trail BBQ, and the local Smitty’s Market, a generational family business famed for having the best hot sausages in town.
Marfa
This iconic Texan destination is renowned for its blend of contemporary art galleries, natural wonders like the Marfa lights, and a laid-back, wild-west ambiance. Often referred to as an art lover’s haven, Marfa has gained international acclaim for its minimalist art installations, its most notable being the Prada Marfa minimalist concept shop located just outside the town. Founded in the late 19th-century, Marfa has transformed into a cultural hub, attracting visitors with its thriving arts scene, independent galleries, and the Chinati Foundation, showcasing large-scale art installations in a former military base.
Beyond the town’s artistic appeal, visitors can explore the historic Presidio County Courthouse, the Marfa Army Air Field, and Hotel Paisano, built in the 1930s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by open lands of tumbleweed and rocks. Sitting at a driving distance away from other towns in Texas with historical significance, like Alpine, this small town showcases the creative and abstract side of the Lone Star State.
Bastrop
Bastrop is a gateway town to some of the Lone Star State’s best natural attractions, along with being a lively community enhanced with homestays, cafes, art galleries, and family-owned boutiques like the Astro Record Store. Bastrop Museum and Visitor Center and Rockne Museum, with hundreds of documents and artifacts from settling times, stand out as some of the best local destinations to learn about local history.
McKinney Roughs Nature Park, Bastrop State Park, and Lake Bastrop are some of the best destinations for embracing untouched nature in the region. Pecan Street Inn, located in the heart of town, offers a central, cozy overnight stay. At the same time, the far-out Serana's private cabin rentals allow for a secluded nature-centric romantic experience on 53 acres of privately owned land.
Fredericksburg
Founded by German immigrants, Fredericksburg is known for its historic main street, stunning architecture, and wildflowers. While its downtown and engaging community element differentiates the town from other historic cities, Fredericksburg’s Enchanted Rock is the town’s main attraction. It is a geological marvel with one-of-a-kind natural vistas of the town and its surrounding nature.
A visit to the historic city founded in 1846 is also complemented by over 50 local wine producers and vineyards, with the 290 Wine Shuttle offering inclusive insights into the production of local beverages. The annual Food and Wine Fest in October is Fredericksburg’s main tourist attraction built around the thriving culinary scene, bringing out the finest vendors and top-rated restaurants in town. Additionally, visitors can travel back in time when visiting the Pioneer Museum and its 3.5-acre open-concept walkable display of life in Fredericksburg during the settling years.
Granbury
Granbury ranks highly for being home to an eclectic mix of Texan atmospheres that complement its historical appeal, from nature-centric places like Granbury Lake and Dinosaur Valley State Park to a historic downtown square on the waterfronts of Brazos River. One-of-a-kind experiences in Granbury include the Brazos Drive-in Theater, the weekend Trolley Tour of the historic homes and landmarks, and The Granbury Ghosts and Legends Tour.
Appreciate old-school entertainment at the central Granbury Opera House, the historic Hood County Jail Museum, and the unusual Doll House Museum, with a display of over 6,000 childhood dolls dating back to the 19th-century. Top-rated lodging in the historic town includes the Inn on Lake Granbury, Hotel Lucy, and The Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast for a more homely feel.
Alpine
Surrounded by scenic mountains with a vigorous cowboy and ranching history, visitors to Alpine can find history in every corner, from vibrant decorative murals to historically significant buildings. Small family-owned local businesses also contribute to Alpine’s allure with places like Gumslinger’s Old Fashioned Candy Shop, the orange Murphy Street Mercado, and the traditional Spradley Hats cowboy hat maker.
The Museum of the Big Bend on the Sul Ross State University Campus is a must-visit for enthusiasts yearning to learn more about the wild-west town and the rich history of the Chihuahuan Desert region. Appreciate decades of local efforts to beautify their city on a self-guided tour through the street art of downtown Alpine, spotting iconic murals like the Poco a Poquito painted by a local cowboy muralist or the cartoon-like Cruising Big Bend depicting a massive classic green car packed with tourists.
Port Isabel
This waterside town home to the iconic Port Isabel Lighthouse offers an insightful blend of nature and colonial history, from the tales of lost ships and artifacts of the Mexican-American War to educational dolphin spotting boat tours. The small community built around its iconic 1852 lighthouse is one of the more modern towns that ranks for its maritime history, with destinations like its famous Port Isabel Historical Museum, differentiating it from all other historically rich cities in Texas.
Climb to the peak of the lighthouse for the best views of Port Isabel, charter a boat to get involved in local fishing culture, and don’t miss the chance to tour the historic Black Dragon Pirate ship that stands as a replica of 17th-century pirate ships.
Llano
Llano, Texas, emphasizes the welcoming small town feel with a lively community, cozy traditional homestays, and stunning architecture like the 1893 Romanesque Revival style Llano courthouse. With an establishing history that dates back to 1856, it also stands out as being home to a diverse natural setting balancing both a dry and green landscape. Nicknamed The Deer Capital Of America for being home to a high density of white-tailed deer, Llano is steeped in Wild West history and dotted with 19th-century architecture.
From the Llano Historical Museum to the Dabbs Railroad Hotel built in 1907 and the eclectic Shakedown Street decorated in vibrant abstract murals, Llano is the perfect weekend escape in Texas Hill County, just 75 miles from Austin, Texas. Distinguished historic attractions in Llano include the old Red Top Jail, Llano Visitor Center and Railroad Museum, and the Lantex Theater, which dates back to 1927.
Presidio
The Spanish-influenced town of Presidio, bordering the Mexican city of Ojinaga, is of rich history for being a crossover of American and Mexican cultures and home to the largest adobe structure in Texas, Fort Leaton. Visitors often frequent Presidio as a gateway town to Big Bend National Park. Presidio, Texas, also holds the title of being the oldest town in the state, having been settled thousands of years ago as an agricultural hub producing corn, hay, wheat, and more for the dry, desert communities of Presidio County.
Explore the rugged landscapes with an off-road excursion along scenic views of the Chinati Mountains. Better yet, this historic small town makes for the perfect town-hopping resetting point when exploring other small towns in the Chihuahuan Desert region, like the artistic colony of Marfa, which sits about 60 miles away.
These small towns in Texas with rich history are a well-rounded mix of the diverse landscapes of America with everything from neighboring country influence in Presidio to tales of history-altering events in Goliad. Choose from the Lone Star state's various atmospheres, or plan a town-hopping excursion to discover closely located towns like Bastrop and Lockhart.
