MCFADDIN-WARD HOUSE—A restored beaux-arts colonial mansion and carriage house (1906-08), the main house showcases the lifestyle of a wealthy, early 20th- century Southeast Texas family. The carriage house contains servants’ quarters. Reservations advisable. Admission charge. 1906 Calder Ave. 409/832-2134.
www.mcfaddin-ward.org.
NECHES RIVER ADVENTURES—Enjoy a leisurely trip down the Neches River in this comfortable, open boat while guides showcase the river’s unique ecosystem. 701 Main St. In Riverfront Park. 409/651-5326.
www.nechesriveradventures.org.
SPINDLETOP-GLADYS CITY BOOMTOWN MUSEUM—Represents the boomtown with typical clap- board buildings, including an information center, post of- fice, photo studio, saloon, livery stable, blacksmith shop, surveyor’s office and wooden oil derricks. Includes a Lucas Gusher Monument. Admissions charge. 5550 Jimmy Simmons Blvd. 409/880-1750.
www.spindletop.org.
TEXAS ENERGY MUSEUM—Definitive museum on oil industry spotlights 19th-century discoveries and includes temporary exhibits on energy science and the environ- ment. Exhibits and talking robots trace the effects of Spindletop and how it began the modern petroleum industry. Admission charge. 600 Main St. 409/833-5100.
www.texasenergymuseum.org.
TYRRELL HISTORICAL LIBRARY—Landmark 1903 Romanesque-Gothic former Baptist Church houses thou- sands of books on Texas history, genealogical resources and art. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 695 Pearl. 409/833-2759.
TYRRELL PARK—Take a stroll through the 10-acre Beaumont Botanical Gardens, which showcases themed gardens with both modern and antique roses, an herb garden and a Camellia garden. Adjacent to the gardens is the Warren Loose Conservatory, home to an annual butterfly release celebration. The conservatory contains plants from around the world, plus special collections of bromeliads and palm trees. Free. Tyrrell Park Road off Fannett (Texas 124). 409/842-3135. Cattail Marsh includes 900-acres of wetlands and offers
more than eight miles of gravel levee roads for hiking, bik- ing, horseback riding, birding, wildlife photography and picnicking along Hildebrandt and Willow Marsh bayous. The marsh is a refuge for aquatic mammals and birds.
BRAZORIA POP. 3,123
ALT. 20 MAP S-21/CC-12
BRAZORIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE VISITOR CENTER: Brazoria Civic Center Building, 202 W. Smith St. 979/798-6100.
www.brazoriachamber.net.
On the banks of the Brazos River, the city was founded in 1828 by Stephen F. Austin as one of his original Texas set- tlements. Brazoria derives its name from the Spanish word abrazar, meaning embrace, which was the Brazos River’s original name. Today, visitors can find restaurants, bed- and-breakfasts and easy access to nearby beaches. Built in 1939, the Brazoria Historic Bridge was the first
traffic bridge on the Brazos River. This bridge is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The Brazoria Heritage Foundation restored the 1933
elementary school and created the Brazoria Civic Center. For more information: 979/798-2273 or 979/236-0241. The San Bernard River offers opportunities for boating,
fishing, and jet skiing. It also is the location of the annual Christmas boat parade. For more information: 979/964- 4402.
www.sanbernardriver.com.
BRAZORIA MUSEUM—The museum features exhibits on Dr. Sophie Hertzog, the first female railroad doctor in Texas; early city history; copies of Mexican land treaties; the area’s early plantation life; and Civil War and Texas
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The reticulated giraffes are popular with visitors at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville.
Ranger memorabilia. Free. 202 W. Smith St. 979/798-1414.
www.brazoriahf.org. The Train Museum shows the history of how the
railroad helped shape the area. Free. 202 W. Smith St. 979/798-1414.
MASONIC OAK—In the shadows of a large oak tree, a group of Masons met on March 1, 1835, to sign the first Masonic Charter in Texas. The tree is part of the Texas Independence Trail. A map is available at the chamber of commerce. South side of Pleasant Street.
www.grandlodgeoftexas.org/content/masonic-oak.
SAN BERNARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE— See BRAZOSPORT AREA.
BRAZOSPORT AREA POP. (Comb.) 58,451 (est.)
ALT. 15-32 MAP S-21
BRAZOSPORT CONVENTION AND VISITOR COUNCIL: 300 Abner Jackson Parkway. 979/285-2501.
www.visitbrazosport.com.
Comprised of eight cities at the mouth of the Brazos River— Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Oyster Creek, Quintana Beach, Richwood and Surfside Beach. The area is known for its beaches, nature sites, museums and sports. Recreational activities include freshwater and saltwater fishing, boating, surfing and crabbing. For deep- sea fishing, party and charter fishing vessels are for hire at several docks. RV facilities are available on or near the beach. Two 18-hole public golf courses are just minutes from the beach.
ALDEN B. DOW OFFICE MUSEUM—See the re-created 1943 office Dow used to design the city of Lake Jackson’s buildings and streets. The building also housed the first post office, city hall and barbershop. It is listed in the Na- tional Register of Historic Places. Admission by donation. 101 S. Parking Place in Lake Jackson. 979/297-1570.
www.lakejacksonmuseum.org.
BRYAN BEACH—This beach is on the Gulf of Mexico, Intracoastal Waterway and Brazos River. Activities include fishing, beach recreation and primitive camping. From Freeport, southwest two miles on F.M. 1495, then three miles south. 979/233-3526.
www.freeport.tx.us.
GULF COAST BIRD OBSERVATORY, THE—This facility, on 33 acres of Columbia Bottomland forest, has self-
guided nature trails. Birds include woodland species, spring and fall migrants, as well as winter residents. Free maps are available at the office. Free. 103 W. Texas 332. 979/480-0999.
www.gcbo.org.
JACKSON PLANTATION ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE— A Texas Antiquities Archeological Landmark, the planta- tion, on the banks of Lake Jackson, was destroyed by a 1900 hurricane. The ruins of eight buildings are the subject of study. From Lake Jackson, one mile northeast on F.M. 2004 from Texas 332. 979/297-1570.
www.lakejacksonmuseum.org.
LAKE JACKSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM—The facility chronicles the history of the city. Exhibits include the pre- historic era, plantation era and development of the area’s petrochemical industry. Gift shop. 249 Circle Way in Lake Jackson. 979/297-1570.
www.lakejacksonmuseum.org.
QUINTANA BEACH COUNTY PARK—Day-use facilities include a fishing pier and playground. Elevated boardwalks with wheelchair ramps connect shaded pavilions. Coveney House has a period museum and natural history display. Reservations accepted for camping. Admission charge. From Texas 288 in Freeport, take F.M. 1495 south 1.7 miles; C.R. 723 east three miles to park entrance. 800/872-7578.
www.brazoria-county.com/parks.
SAN BERNARD NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE— Geese winter in this 27,000-acre refuge. The bird list for the refuge contains nearly 250 species. Auto tours, hiking trails and boardwalks are great for spotting birds. For access, hunting and fishing information, contact the field office at 2547 C.R. 316 in Brazoria (979/964-4011). Free. 979/964-3639.
www.fws.gov/refuge/san_bernard.
SEA CENTER TEXAS—This marine hatchery, aquarium and education center includes rearing ponds, a saltwater marsh demonstration project and a visitor center. It also has a “touch tank,” displays on marine life, and multiple aquariums. Hatchery tours by reservation only. 300 Medical Drive in Lake Jackson. 979/292-0100.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/seacenter.
SHRIMP BOAT MONUMENT—The former trawler Mystery honors the colorful shrimp industry of the Brazosport area. This 60-foot boat, built of cypress timber, brought in millions of pounds of Gulf shrimp for about 25-years. Mystery is on display for photo opportunities (no climbing). At the head of Brazosport harbor channel on Texas 288 in Freeport. 979/233-3306.
www.freeport.tx.us.
PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
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