8 Charming Old Railroad Towns In Texas

Some of the best small towns in Texas were built out of the necessity of the rails that once stitched the state together. What began as simple stops became thriving communities shaped by the constant movement of trains and people. When the world sped up and highways took over, these towns returned to a quieter rhythm, preserving the architecture and stories that defined them, making them some of the best small towns to explore for travellers seeking a more profound sense of place. Today, their main streets offer a history that feels personal, truly captivating scenery, and a lingering spirit of old Texas.

Smithville

Located 45.3 miles from Austin, Smithville experienced rapid growth after the Missouri, Kansas, and Texas Railroad established a major division point here in the late 1800s, shaping a historic main street that still reflects its early Katy Railroad roots. The James H. Long Railroad Park and Museum preserves that past, while shops such as Bella’s Cottage Antiques and Texas Trails Antiques & Marketplace highlight the town’s small-town character.

Cafés like the Smithville General Store & Coffee House and Olde World Bakery bring a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere, and film fans often stop by Honey’s Pizza and the McCollum-Chapman-Trousdale House, both featured in Hope Floats. Nearby Buescher State Park and Rocky Hill Ranch offer wooded trails, cycling routes, and quiet forest views. With its preserved storefronts, friendly businesses, and deep railroad heritage, Smithville delivers the kind of simple, memorable experiences travellers seek in Texas’s smaller towns.

Taylor

Taylor began as a nineteenth-century stop on the International and Great Northern line, and its role as a cotton shipping point shaped the commercial blocks that still guide visitors through the historic downtown. You can explore this early story at the Taylor Depot and the Moody Museum before wandering the streets lined with shops, galleries, and cafés.

One of the most notable redevelopments is Old Taylor High, where the original 1923 school building now houses restaurants, studios, and small businesses such as Plowman’s Kitchen, Taylor Seoul Food, Sirloin Stockade, and 1922 Libations and Bites. Music fans often head to the Black Sparrow Music Parlor for open mic nights and regional performances, while nearby Taylor Railfan Park provides views of the freight trains that continue to pass through town. Long-standing favourites like Louie Mueller Barbecue and the boutique shops along Main Street add to the experience, making Taylor a city where historic roots and new creative energy come together memorably.

Giddings

Giddings was established in 1871 when the Houston and Texas Central Railway cut through Lee County, drawing merchants and settlers to what became a small but lively railroad town. That history is still easy to spot at the restored Giddings Freight Depot, which anchors the compact downtown and offers a clear look at the community’s origins. Visitors can walk the courthouse square to see the Lee County Courthouse and stop by the Schubert-Fletcher House, home to the Lee County Museum and the local Visitor’s Center.

A visit to Giddings is also beautified by its abundance of outdoor activities. Travellers can unwind at Veterans Park or Simmang Park, both offering peaceful green space in the heart of town, or take a short drive to Lake Somerville State Park for hiking, cycling, fishing, and lakeside views. Combined with its Wendish heritage, the preserved Giddings Freight Depot, and its rich railroad history, Giddings stands out as a small town where history, culture, and nature come together memorably.

Cleburne

Cleburne grew rapidly after the Gulf, Colorado, and Santa Fe Railway opened one of the Southwest’s largest rail-car and locomotive shops here in the 1890s. The shops anchored the economy for decades, shaping Cleburne into a whole company town with rail-linked businesses and a busy commercial core. Visitors can explore this history at the Cleburne Railroad Museum, see the Santa Fe caboose at the Layland Museum, and view The Spirit of Cleburne, a preserved steam locomotive in Hulen Park.

The town also offers lively entertainment, including productions at the Plaza Theatre Company and games with the Cleburne Railroaders at La Moderna Field. For an overnight stay, the restored Liberty Hotel offers a historic downtown base, conveniently located near shops, museums, and local dining options. Cleburne remains a standout Texas destination where railroad heritage is still central to the experience.

Palestine

Palestine is one of Texas’s most significant historic railroad towns, shaped by the International & Great Northern Railroad (I&GN), which established a division point and shops in the town. Visitors can experience this heritage aboard the Texas State Railroad, which departs from the Palestine depot and travels through the Piney Woods on restored vintage trains. The journey highlights the landscapes that early rail passengers once crossed and remains one of the state’s most iconic rail experiences.

In the Main Street District, travellers can explore the Railroad Heritage Center, home to detailed model layouts and exhibits that tell the story of Palestine’s rail-driven growth. The area also features preserved architecture, including the Beaux-Arts Anderson County Courthouse, as well as shops, cafés, and local eateries clustered around the historic streets. Popular stops include Oxbow Bakery for pies and coffee, Queen St Grille for refined Southern dishes, and Pint & Barrel Drafthouse for casual pub fare in a historic setting.

Marshall

Marshall became a major railroad town when the Texas and Pacific Railway chose it as its headquarters, reshaping the community into one of East Texas’s key rail hubs. Located 153 miles east of Dallas, the town offers a well-documented and engaging look at the region’s rail heritage. Highlights of a visit to Marshall include browsing the restored T&P Depot, an active Amtrak station with exhibits on the town’s rail era. A short walk leads to the striking Harrison County Courthouse, along with historic streets lined with cafés, small shops, and local museums. Nearby, the Starr Family Home offers a glimpse into a 1870s estate preserved with its original furnishings.

At the same time, the Michelson Museum of Art showcases international paintings, masks, and puppets, offering visitors a glimpse into global artistic traditions through its diverse collections. Seasonal traditions, like the Wonderland of Lights, brighten the winter months, and local favorites, such as Bear Creek Smokehouse, give visitors a taste of East Texas cooking. With its preserved depot, cultural landmarks, and inviting main streets, Marshall offers a grounded and memorable glimpse into a town shaped by its railroad past.

Rosenberg

Rosenberg was built around the Santa Fe line, and today the town stands out for its strong sense of cultural preservation and historic streets. Highlights of a visit include the Black Cowboy Museum, which offers a unique perspective on a side of Texas history that’s often overlooked, spotlighting the riders and trail hands who shaped the region.

In the Historic Downtown District, travellers can browse the Rosenberg Railroad Museum’s vintage railcars, explore the Fort Bend Art Center, or catch a performance at CAST Theatrical Company. The walkable streets are lined with shops and eateries, with favourites such as Another Time Soda Fountain, Ol’ Railroad Café, and Old Main Street Bakery providing easy stops for lunch, coffee, or something sweet. Together, these attractions make Rosenberg a lively cultural hub with a distinctly local feel.

Temple

Temple is one of the Texas towns most closely associated with railroad history, beginning in the 1880s when the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway built a junction that sparked rapid growth. The Temple Railroad & Heritage Museum, situated inside the 1911 Santa Fe Depot adjacent to active rail lines, remains one of the city’s strongest connections to its early rail era. Surrounding it, the Santa Fe Market Trail creates a connected space of gardens, vintage railcars, and the family-friendly Santa Fe Kids' Stop, showcasing how former rail land has been repurposed into a lively public area.

Temple’s cultural depth is reflected in the Czech Heritage Museum and Genealogy Center, while broader regional history is presented at the Bell County Museum in nearby Belton. In the rejuvenated downtown district, cafés, boutiques, murals, and the monthly First Friday events add a modern layer of energy to the historic streets. With its preserved depot, walkable public spaces, and thriving arts scene, Temple seamlessly blends its railroad heritage with a fresh, small-town character.

Ultimately, these railroad towns distinguish themselves by how they have carried their past forward, honouring the industries and stories that shaped their earliest chapters. What were once busy rail lines now lead travellers into historic districts filled with preserved depots, character-rich storefronts, local cafés, and cultural landmarks shaped by generations.