The historic downtown area features original brick streets and buildings from the 1920s boom era that house a vari- ety of shops. The Stephens County Courthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A Texas Main Street City since 1997, Breckenridge has also qualified for a National Main Street designation. Home of Texas State Technical College–West Texas, Breckenridge Campus. The area is prime for hunting deer, feral hogs, turkey,
quail and dove. Local lakes offer recreation. The area also offers good birding opportunities.
BOOMTOWN BRECKENRIDGE MURALS—Influenced by Basil Clemmons’ photographs of Breckenridge, these mu- rals depict the city’s rich history. A walking-tour brochure is available at the Friends of Historic Breckenridge Rest Station. Basil Clemmons’ photos can be viewed at the Swenson Memorial Museum. 100 N. Breckenridge Ave.
BRECKENRIDGE FINE ARTS CENTER—The center offers workshop facilities and exhibits. It is home to the Kathryn Leach Doll Collection and an extensive collection of festi- val gowns. The gallery hosts changing exhibits, plus a permanent collection of paintings and sculptures. 207 N. Breckenridge Ave. 254/559-6602.
LAKES—Lake Daniel—A City of Breckenridge lake on Gonzales Creek. A park at the dam offers fishing, picnic sites and primitive camping. About seven miles south of Breckenridge via U.S. 183 and F.M. 576. 254/559-8287 Hubbard Creek Reservoir—This lake offers fishing,
boat ramps and marinas, swimming, camping and picnick- ing. About six miles northwest of Brecken ridge via U.S. 180 west, or U.S. 183. 325/673-8254. Possum Kingdom Lake—This Brazos River Authority
reservoir includes lakeside resorts, camps and boat ramps. Possum Kingdom State Park is on the southwestern shore. Includes swimming, boating and fishing. Hunting during season. Also accessible from Mineral Wells and Graham. 940/779-2321.
www.brazos.org.
POSSUM KINGDOM STATE PARK—Located in the can- yons of the Brazos River Valley, Lake Possum Kingdom offers some of the clearest water in the Southwest. This is especially good for scuba diving as well as swimming, boating, skiing and fishing. The Palo Pinto Mountains make the shoreline near the dam and along the lower lake an unusual landscape. Admission charge. Located 18 miles north of Caddo via Park Road 33. 940/549-1803.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/possum-kingdom.
SWENSON MEMORIAL MUSEUM AND J.D. SANDEFER OIL ANNEX—Housed in the historic First National Bank building, the museum features Stephens County history and traveling exhibits. Oil history is preserved in the J.D. Sandefer Oil Annex. Other exhibits include Basil Clem- mons’ photography. Special tours for individuals and school groups. 116 W. Walker. 254/559-8471.
BRONTE POP. 1,015
ALT. 1,893 MAP L-12
The town is named for famed English novelist, Charlotte Bronte. The local park offers a swimming pool, nine-hole golf course and playground. At the 200 Block of West Main Street, visitors can find the Historical Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Depot, Veterans Memorial and the Texas Theater.
FORT CHADBOURNE—This fort was established in 1852 and named for 2nd Lt. Theodore Lincoln Chadbourne. The post was abandoned in 1867. The visitor center/ museum displays many artifacts from the site. 651 Fort Chadbourne Road. 12 miles north of Bronte on U.S. 277. 325/743-2555.
www.fortchadbourne.org.
FORT CHADBOURNE CEMETERY—About a mile west of Fort Chadbourne. Many early settlers of the area are buried here, and the oldest headstone dates to 1877.
LAKE—Oak Creek Reservoir, see SWEETWATER.
BROWNFIELD POP. 9,853
ALT. 3,312
MAP H-9
BROWNFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITORS CENTER: 211 Lubbock Road. 806/637-2564.
www.brownfieldchamber.com.
Brownfield is situated at the intersection of five highway routes. Travel trailer campsites are available at Coleman Park, south of the city along U.S. 62/385. The annual Quilt Trail and Show showcases quilts from
around the state and beyond. Home of the first Quilt Trail in Texas (806/637-4060.
www.terrycountyquilts.com).
TERRY COUNTY HERITAGE MUSEUM—In the restored A.M. Brownfield Home, the museum displays local heri- tage, a pioneer kitchen and artifacts. 600 E. Cardwell. 806/637-2467.
BUFFALO GAP POP. 469
ALT. 1,926 MAP K-13/OO-7
Settlement here began at the site of a natural pass in the Callahan Divide through which buffalo traveled for centu- ries. It also was a point on the famous Dodge (or Western) Cattle Trail. Today, Buffalo Gap offers a variety of restau- rants, shops and historical restorations.
ABILENE STATE PARK—Near Lake Abilene a few miles south of Buffalo Gap. See ABILENE
BUFFALO GAP HISTORIC VILLAGE—This complex fea- tures the last 50 years of the Texas frontier. Historic areas surround the original 1879 Old Taylor County Courthouse and Jail. The complex includes a store, a visitor center, picnic area and playground. Admission charge. 325/572- 3365.
www.tfhcc.com.
LAKE—Lake Abilene, see ABILENE.
BURKBURNETT POP. 10,822
ALT. 1,040 MAP F-15
BURKBURNETT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 104 W. Third. 940/569-3304 or 940/569-0460.
www.burkburnettchamber.com.
Cowboys on the giant Samuel Burk Burnett 6666 Ranch derisively called the early town “Nesterville.” In 1907, Joseph A. Kemp and Frank Kell from Wichita Falls bought part of the Burk Burnett ranch and laid out the present town. It’s said the town was named for Burk Burnett after President Theodore Roosevelt personally interceded. (Roosevelt had been Burnett’s guest on a wolf hunt in the area.) The 1918 Fowler oil discovery turned the community into a boomtown. The 1941 movie Boomtown, was based on those wild, oil-boom days.
FELTY OUTDOOR OIL MUSEUM—Displays of equipment from the height of the oil boom includes spudders used for drilling and cleaning out wells, a pumping unit and a band- wheel power source. Kelly and East Ninth (F.M. 240). 940/569-2651.
Cowboys and Cusine
A TRIP TO Perini Ranch Steakhouse in Buffalo Gap is high on the list of must-dos, but once a year, in April, the stakes are raised with the Buffalo Gap Wine & Food Summit. The event is a tasty, educational event featuring nationally acclaimed chefs and wines. www.buffalogap
summit.com
TRAILS AND TALES OF BOOMTOWN USA—A guided tour through oil-boom days includes an outdoor oil muse- um and a replica of Mabel Gilbert’s (the area’s first white settler) dugout. Reservations suggested. Admission charge. 102 W. Third St. In a restored MKT depot. 940/569-3304.
CANADIAN POP. 2,794
ALT. 2,339 MAP B-12
CANADIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND VISITORS BUREAU: 119 N. Second St. 806/323-6234.
www.canadiantx.com.
The town is on the Canadian River. Early settlers held one of the first rodeos in Texas. A commercial center, much of its economy derives from ranching and some oil activity. The Canadian Arts Alliance brings varied performances
at the renovated 1939 Texas Crown Performance Hall. 806/323-6234.
www.texascrownhall.org.
CANADIAN RIVER WAGON BRIDGE—A 1916 steel bridge built over the Canadian River is the focal point for a scenic hike-and-bike trail and provides a platform for view- ing wildlife. The area has hills and valleys, cottonwoods and hackberries-in contrast to the surrounding treeless plains. Two miles north of city on U.S. 60/83.
THE CITADELLE ART FOUNDATION—This mansion is a world-class art gallery featuring works from well-known American illustrators and 18th-century European painters. Includes gardens and European fountains. Admission charge. 520 Nelson Ave. 806/323-8899.
www.thecitadelle.org.
GENE HOWE WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA— Restored wetlands, river bottoms and creeks offer wildlife viewing opportunities. Site hosts studies on plants and animals, including prairie dogs, antelope and lesser prairie chickens. Guest check-in at headquarters required. 15412 Lake Marvin Road. 806/323-8642.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us.
LAKE— Lake Marvin—A lake in the Black Kettle National Grasslands, administered by the National Forest Service. The area offers camping, picnicking, fishing and nature trails popular during fall foliage season. Wildlife and water- fowl attract hunters during fall-winter seasons. Access 11 miles east of Canadian via F.M. 2266. 580/497-2143.
www.fs.fed.us/grasslands/index.shtml.
RIVER VALLEY PIONEER MUSEUM—This quaint muse- um features memorabilia from Canadian and Hemphill County. Traveling exhibits from other museums also are displayed regularly. Donations accepted. 118 N. Second St. (U.S. 60/83). 806/323-6548. www.rivervalley
museum.org.
CANYON POP. 13,703
ALT. 3,566 MAP D-9/HH-17
CANYON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 1518 Fifth Ave. 806/655-7815.
www.canyonchamber.org.
This town originated as the headquarters for the huge T Anchor Ranch. Canyon is the Randall County seat and a gateway to the spectacular Palo Duro Canyon State Park. Home of West Texas A&M University.
BUFFALO LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE— This 7,677-acre refuge is on a major flyway and is a winter home for waterfowl. There is an interpretive walking trail and a 4.5-mile auto interpretive trail. It offers picnicking, birding, nature study and campsites. No water or electrici- ty. Refuge headquarters three miles south of Umbarger on F.M. 168. 806/499-3382.
www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/ texas/
buffalo.html.
PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK—One of the most renowned destinations in Texas is referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas.” Take a daylong horseback ride or hike to the famous Lighthouse rock formation, or drive to the top of the canyon and take in the breathtaking view from the
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