Get to Know Small Town Texas
Go anywhere in the world, and 9 times out of 10, people will know Texas. They’ll ask you if you’re a cowboy and if you live in Dallas. Texas is a big state that transcends cultural boundaries and evokes familiar images in any mind upon its mention. What do you think of when someone mentions Texas? Dusty cowboy boots? Stately longhorns? Savory BBQ? All of these things can be found in the Lone Star State, but the richness of Texas culture and heritage is more than its stereotypes and big metropolises like Dallas. The heart of Texas isn’t just its center; it’s in its small towns. Woven throughout the diverse landscape of Texas are thousands of small towns that tell a story of fierce Native Americans, tenacious settlers from far off lands, brutal battles, nefarious villains, and brave defenders. They also tell the story of ordinary people living their day-to-day lives: farmers laboring in the sun all day to provide for their families, mamas working hard to raise their kids into God-fearing men and women, and everyone in between. Small towns tell these stories best of all, because so many of them have held onto their heritage—not lost to the invasion of big enterprise. If you want to know the history of Texas, journey through its small towns. Pile the kids in the RV and hit the road for a trip that will make you proud to be Texan—or consider becoming one. Not sure where to go? Here are 5 small Texas towns you don’t want to miss.
Terlingua
A thriving quicksilver mining town in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Terlingua boasted a population of around 2,000 people. However, following the onset of the Great Depression, the Chisos Mining Company declared bankruptcy which resulted in a mass exodus of Terlingua. Today, the town has a total population of 58. You read that right. 58. Terlingua is a ghost town. But it just might be the most visited ghost town in Texas. Located just west of Big Bend National Park, Terlingua hosts visitors on their way to the park as well as thousands of participants in the town’s famous annual Chili Cook Off. Stop to explore the ruins of an old cemetery, have a bowl of chili at the Starlight Theatre, and get to know the colorful lot that call Terlingua home.
Gruene
First settled in the mid-19th century by German farmers, Gruene was originally called Goodwin Community. The town grew with the ambitions of Henry D. Gruene, one of the first settlers in the area. Having 6,000 acres of land, Henry decided to plant cotton, a valuable commodity which attracted more families to Goodwin Community. The town officially became known as Gruene in the 1880s with the completion of the International Great Northern Railroad. In 1922, two years after the death of Henry D. Gruene, his cotton gin tragically burned down. This marked the beginning of the end for Gruene’s growing prosperity, and the town was abandoned by 1950. Twenty-four years later, architecture student Chip Kaufman re-discovered the ghost town on a kayaking trip and began taking steps toward placing Gruene on the National Register of Historic Places. Kaufman’s discovery of the town ultimately led to its rebirth as a community thriving primarily on tourism. Its 19th century-style architecture and charming small-town atmosphere make visitors to Gruene feel like they’ve stepped back in time. If you’re planning a trip to Gruene, be sure to visit the famous Gruene Hall, the oldest dance hall in Texas.
Dripping Springs
Located about half an hour west of Austin is Dripping Springs, a cozy little town marked by serene landscape and close-knit community. Founded in 1854, Dripping Springs began as the homestead of Dr. Joseph McKegg Pound and his family. In the late 19th century, Dripping Springs was a small community of 130 and, due to its location on the road between Austin and Fredericksburg, grew into a bustling town throughout the 20th century. Today, the town is a magnet for tourists hoping to escape the summer heat at Hamilton Pool, explore Pedernales Falls, chow down on some famous BBQ, and visit craft distilleries. If you love small town history as much as we do, be sure to pay a visit to the old home of Dr. Pound, now called the Dr. Pound Pioneer Farmstead Historical Museum.
Marfa
Just about 20 minutes south of Fort Davis is the quirky little town of Marfa, Texas. Named for a fictional character in The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevysky, Marfa is a famed Texas oddity. Marfa is the very definition of “middle of nowhere,” and, ironically, that’s partially what put it on the map. Tired of the bustle of city life, minimalist artist Donald Judd moved to Marfa in 1971 to re-establish himself in a quiet, unknown town in West Texas. Judd moved into an old US Army Quartermaster Corps house and turned the rest of the complex around it, which included two large airplane hangars, into a work of art. Now known as The Block, Judd’s art installation has attracted art enthusiasts for decades making Marfa a curious fusion of West Texas cowboy and urban creative cultures. But before Judd entered the picture, Marfa was known for one, baffling mystery. Floating orbs flickering from the Chinati Mountains have captivated observers since the late 1800s, and to this day, no one knows what they are. For photo ops with interesting art installations like Prada Marfa and possible encounters with alien lifeforms, visit Marfa, Texas.
Gonzales
In the vast expanse of land that is Texas, Gonzales is tiny. You really could drive through it and completely miss it. But you wouldn’t want to miss this little town, because it is one of the most important locations in Texas history. Every Texan knows about the “Come and Take It” cannon (They should, anyway.), the small cannon that launched Texas into a revolutionary war with Mexico. The cannon was given to the town of Gonzales in 1831 to be used for defense against Indians, but on October 2, 1835, they were commanded to hand it back over to Mexican authorities. Texans in Gonzales refused, sending a bold message to the Mexican military: If they wanted the cannon, they could “come and take it.” The battle of Gonzales broke out, sparking what would become the Texas Revolution. Today, you can see that very cannon—still sitting on Texas soil in the Gonzales Memorial Museum. If you visit this museum, you can also learn about the Immortal 32, a group of men from Gonzales who volunteered to fight in the battle of the Alamo. Gonzales’ main attraction is its history, but you can also explore its natural beauty with a visit to the Palmetto State Park or an afternoon of kayaking on the Guadalupe River.
Don’t miss out on these gems. Hop in your fifth wheel or travel trailer and get to know small town Texas!