7 Texas Towns That Echo The Past

Texas is the second-largest state by land mass, and accordingly, it has numerous towns scattered across its vast sandy soil. Many of these towns are hundreds of years old and boast unique downtowns and architecturally brilliant buildings that represent the area's rich history. This list will explore seven cities across the Lone Star State that have preserved the past, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the earliest foundations of life in this beautiful and sprawling state.

Bastrop

Thirty miles east of Austin, Bastrop has been situated along the Colorado River since the 1800s. One of the most historic small towns in Texas, downtown Bastrop is home to several antique establishments, not least of which are the Bastrop County Jail (a three-story, red-brick Victorian structure from 1892) and the Bastrop County Museum and Visitor Center, which itself is located in an old fire and police station dating back to the 1930s.

Because of its proximity to water and forest, those who are more inclined to explore the Great Outdoors are in luck: Bastrop State Park is a verdant and vibrant forest filled with hiking trails. At the same time, the El Camino Real Paddling Trail allows tourists and locals alike to drift languidly along the river in kayaks and canoes.

Port Isabel

Embracing its Gulf-Coast heritage right along the coast and by the Mexican border, Port Isabel is the Texas place to be for all seafood lovers. The World Championship Shrimp Cook-off is held in Port Isabel every November, where chefs from throughout the Rio Grande Valley compete to create the most aromatic and delicious crustacean dishes.

Buildings within the city and just outside of it are longstanding legacies of the town's historic past. The Port Isabel Lighthouse, built in 1852, is a famous landmark and now a State Historic Site. During the Civil War, the lighthouse was occupied by both sides at different times. Nowadays, it is open to the public daily and is more than worth a visit. The Port Isabel Historical Museum features exhibits and artifacts spanning from the Mexican-American War to the present day, including (but not limited to) an iconic 1906 fish mural.

Fredericksburg

Settled by immigrants in the 1800s, Fredericksburg is saturated with German pioneer spirit. Its downtown area boasts a staggering number of boutiques and shops. Among them, one can find the Pioneer Museum, which explores 175 years of German heritage, and the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, which showcases what life was like for the former president's ancestors as they settled in the area.

Known best for its wineries, Fredericksburg has over 50 such venues that offer tours and tastings, including Creekstreet Wine Tours and Texas Grapes. Bring your appetite and your thirst, because this historic town has days' worth of landmark establishments to explore.

Lockhart

Lockhart was originally a railroad town and a regional hub for the shipment of cotton. Since then, its economic fortitude has grown through the barbecue industry. Indeed, even the Texas Legislature has proclaimed the city the Barbecue Capital of Texas. This distinction is no small feat, given the state's passion for all things barbecue and grilling. Several restaurants capitalize on the town's renowned barbecue scene, including Black's BBQ, which has been in operation since 1932.

Historic downtown Lockhart has less to do with barbecue and more to do with architecture. The indomitable Caldwell County Courthouse, built in 1893, features a high central tower and mansard roofs. The Caldwell County Museum, built in 1908, is situated in the Norman castellated style and was initially used as a jail.

Salado

With a population under 3,000, Salado is the epitome of a small town with a big heart. One of several Texas towns founded in the mid-1800s, Salado was initially established to build a bridge over Salado Creek. Now, while stagecoaches no longer wheel along Main Street, other remains from the Wild West days are in proud prominence. The Stagecoach Inn is one of the oldest hotels in the state of Texas. The inn was built starting in 1852 and opened as a stagecoach stop in 1861. It was restored and renamed the Stagecoach Inn in 1943.

The Davis House, built circa 1874, is another historic site on Main Street and now doubles as a coffee shop. Dodd's Creek Truss Bridge, built in the mid-19^th century, features a bronze sculpture grouping by a local artist. Salado has dozens more historic sites, well-preserved from the town's most prominent days, and they are conveniently laid out on a map. Make sure to add this small town to a travel itinerary, because in Salado, history awaits around every ancient street corner.

San Elizario

Another town right along the border, San Elizario, is rich in Wild West-meets-Mexican history. Whitewashed adobe walls run throughout the city, and the moment you set foot outside the boundaries, there are cotton fields as far as the eye can see. The San Elizario Presidio Chapel, featuring an ancient wooden door and curved walls, has been in use since 1882. However, its grounds date back to an original place of worship established in 1789.

Other buildings to explore have been repurposed: The Los Portales Casa Garcia, a museum showcasing regional history, is housed in a 1850s residence. More buildings (18 in total) comprise the town's National Historic District, including the Old Jail Museum, famed for being the location from which Billy the Kid once broke, to free his incarcerated comrade.

Port Aransas

This coastal island town, located southeast of San Antonio, has as much history as it does appeal. Touristy but relaxing, the beaches here stretch long, and oceanside wildlife spills into the town itself. Port Aransas was founded in 1850 and has remained essentially unchanged, blending seamlessly with the ebbs and flows of the tide. Among many other exhibits, the Port Aransas Museum explores the town's history and encourages visitors to take a self-guided tour through the “Eight Wonders of Port Aransas.”

Among the wonders are the Aransas Pass Light Station, constructed in 1854 and relied upon for a century. Confederate forces destroyed the lens of the lighthouse in 1862, but it was swiftly repaired post-war. The Tarpon Inn, dating back to 1886, is the oldest surviving structure on the island. Badly damaged by fire and nearly destroyed by a hurricane, this durable structure has survived the decades and remains a local favorite.

Texas is a state where history and culture collide, resulting in a collection of towns that honor their pasts as much as they build for the present. The cities on this list fully embody the Texan spirit (think Lockhart and its renowned barbecue scene), while also preserving the monuments and museums that commemorate the people and times that unfolded centuries ago. In Texas, where everything is just a bit more grand, visitors can appreciate the longstanding remains of previous eras while walking the towns' historic districts.