EASTLAND POP. 3,995
ALT. 1,421
MAP K-15
EASTLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 209 W. Main St. 254/629-2332.
www.eastlandchamber.com.
The town is named for Capt. William M. Eastland, San Jacinto hero and Texas Ranger. Lake Leon and Ringling Lake are popular fishing spots. Leon offers cabins and an RV park (254/647-3651). Lakeside and Lone Cedar golf courses each offer 18 holes. Ripfest Parade and Festival is held in October.
“OLD RIP” THE HORNED TOAD—According to records, in 1897 a Texas horned lizard was sealed in the corner- stone of the Eastland courthouse. In 1928, a new court- house was erected, the prior cornerstone was opened and the horned toad was found alive. The small animal re- ceived great publicity and was displayed nationally. When it died the next year of pneumonia, it was placed in a glass-front casket, on view in the present county court- house. 100 W. Main St.
DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR—Features buildings that highlight Eastland’s history. Pick up a map for this tour at the Chamber of Commerce. 254/629-2332.
EASTLAND COUNTY MUSEUM—The museum archives period photographs and memorabilia related to the area. 112/114 S. Seaman St.
www.eastlandtexas.com.
LAKE—Leon Reservoir—This lake offers fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. There is a lakeside resort. About six miles southeast of Eastland via F.M. 570 and F.M. 2214. 254/631-2833.
LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM—Built in 1897, the old Eastland County Jail contains artifacts and memorabilia of Eastland County and Law Enforcement history. Contact sheriff’s office to schedule a guided tour. 210 W. White St. 254/629-1774.
MAJESTIC THEATRE—Built in 1920, it was called the Connellee Theatre and featured films and stage shows. The old theater closed and reopened as the Majestic in 1947. It is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark. Today, it is a first-run movie house. Tours can be arranged. 108 N. Lamar. 254/629-1322.
OUTDOOR ART EXHIBIT—Art pieces are placed near or on businesses throughout Eastland. Each piece includes a story of the painter’s life or interesting details about the original art. 254/629-2332.
POST OFFICE MURAL—National and post office history is depicted in a 6-by-10-foot mural of postage stamps. Seven years and about 12,000 stamps were required to produce this work. 411 W. Main. 254/629-2383.
EDEN POP. 2,808
ALT. 2,051 MAP N-13
EDEN VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER DEVELOP- MENT DEPARTMENT AND CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 120 Paint Rock St. 325/869-5074
www.edentexas.com.
Named for Frederick Ede, upon whose land the town was platted, Eden is 19 miles east of the geodetic center of Texas. Markers in town honor local sons. Town square fea- tures shops, antique malls, a museum and a library. Visitors can also find a municipal golf course, deer and turkey hunt- ing, and nearby O.H. Ivie Reservoir for fishing and boating.
BARROW MUSEUM—Features the extensive collections of Earnest and Dorothy Barrow. Includes Concho County history and memorabilia from around the world. The museum is on a working ranch that includes a herd of reg- istered longhorn cattle. Northwest of Eden on F.M. 765 near Eola. 325/234-8666.
DON FREEMAN MEMORIAL MUSEUM—This museum features Concho County history and changing exhibits.
160
A large area is devoted to the county’s military veterans. Group tours available. On Paint Rock Street on the Square, next to City Hall. 325/869-2211 or 325/869-5074.
LAKE—O.H. Ivie Reservoir, see BALLINGER.
PAINT ROCK EXCURSIONS—Just north of Paint Rock hundreds of Native American pictographs are painted on limestone cliffs bordering the Concho River. Excursions are available for viewing the pictographs. Paint Rock is 37 miles north of Eden on U.S 83. 325/732-4376.
ELECTRA POP. 2,755
ALT. 1,050 MAP F-14
ELECTRA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 112 W. Cleveland. 940/495-3577.
www.electratexas.org.
This city is named after cattle baron W.T. Waggoner’s daughter. Briefly known as Waggoner, the name changed to Beaver (for nearby Beaver Creek). In 1902, it was re- named in honor of Electra Waggoner. In 1911, the gusher of Clayco No. 1, just north of town opened oil fields in the area. Electra was named the “Pump Jack Capital of Texas” by the Texas Legislature. An RV park is at the fairgrounds (940/495-2131). Festivals include the Electra Goat Barbecue on Mother’s
Day weekend and the Holiday of Lights Christmas Parade and Angel Lighting.
DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT—Features brick streets, WPA-era artwork in the post office, and the Grand Theatre. Historical markers adorn both the Grand and City Hall. A ‘50s-era oil derrick is lighted during Christmas.
GRAND THEATRE TOUR—Free tours (Friday mornings) of the 1920s opera house, recognized as a registered his- toric landmark. 114 N. Waggoner St. 940/495-3758.
FRITCH POP. 2,153
ALT. 3,200
FRITCH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 604 W. Broadway St. 806/275-0188.
The town is the gateway to recreational areas around Lake Meredith and to Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument.
ALIBATES FLINT QUARRIES NATIONAL MONUMENT— Prehistoric people needed good raw material for tools and weapons, and Alibates flint was some of the finest. This is the only National Monument in Texas. It can only be viewed by ranger-led guided tours. Thirty miles north of Amarillo on Texas 136. 806/857-3151.
www.nps.gov/alfl.
LAKE—Lake Meredith—A U.S. Bureau of Reclamation lake. The National Park Service operates several boat ramps. Campgrounds and picnic areas are nearby. Call ahead about water levels. Off Texas 136 one mile east of Fritch. Also accessible from Borger, Stinnett and Amarillo. 806/857-3151.
LAKE MEREDITH AQUATIC AND WILDLIFE MUSEUM— This facility features living specimens of fish found in Lake
MAP C-10
Meredith and the Canadian River. It also offers wildlife dioramas. A National Park Service display shows Alibates flint and tools with which Native Americans made arrow- heads. 101 N. Roby (Texas 136). 806/857-2458.
LAKE MEREDITH NATIONAL RECREATION AREA— Here the Canadian River has cut and re-cut 200-foot can- yons called breaks. Sanford Dam created Lake Meredith on the Canadian River. The area offers fishing, water skiing, camping, hiking and hunting. Park headquarters, 30 miles north of Amarillo on Texas 136. 806/857-3151.
www.nps.gov/lamr.
GRAHAM POP. 9,017
ALT. 1,123 MAP J-15
GRAHAM CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 458 Oak St. 940/549-0401 or 866/549-0401.
www.visitgrahamtexas.com.
The town was founded by brothers Gustavus and Edwin S. Graham. Today, the historic downtown offers shopping with a number of antique stores. Courthouse square is recognized as the largest downtown square in America. The Graham Drive-in is one of the state’s few remaining
drive-in theaters (940/549-8478). Fishing, boating and recreation draw visitors to local lakes. Graham Country Club features a golf course, ranked among the best nine- hole courses in the state according to The Dallas Morning News. 940/549-7721. A historic driving and walking tour of Young County
features the real stories portrayed in Lonesome Dove, The Searchers and Black Fox. Events include Main Street’s Art Walk and Cars and
Stars the second weekend of April; Red, White and You in July; Western Heritage Days last full weekend in September, and Christmas Stroll, Wassail Tasting and Competition, and Lighted Parade in December.
FORT BELKNAP—History buffs enjoy touring the restored buildings of this fort along the Texas Forts Trail. Fort Belk- nap protected early settlers and was a stop on the famous Butterfield Overland Mail Route. The Young County park has museum and picnic facilities. Eleven miles northwest of Graham, off FM 61. 940/846-3222.
LAKES—Lakes Graham and Eddleman—These two lakes form an impoundment on a tributary of the Brazos River. Parks offer fishing, boating and camping. Two miles north- west of Graham off U.S. 380 and F.M. 61. 940/549-3322. Possum Kingdom Lake—See BRECKENRIDGE.
OLD POST OFFICE MUSEUM AND ART CENTER—This museum in the former post office features a historic mural painted by Alexander Hogue, a permanent collection, special exhibits and gift shop. Admission fee for special exhibits. Corner of Third and Oak streets. 940/549-1470.
ROBERT E. RICHESON MEMORIAL MUSEUM—Houses memorabilia from World War II. Exhibits include muni- tions, uniforms and a large collection of model aircraft of the era. Above CAF Cactus Squadron hangar at Graham Municipal Airport on U.S. 380 east of city. 866/549-0401.
Painted History
NEAR PAINT ROCK (about 37 miles north of Eden) you’ll find one of the largest Indian pictograph sites in the nation. Although it is on private prop- erty along the Concho River, arrangements can be made to see the more than 1,500 paintings, which are believed to have been added several hundred years ago and into the 1860s.
YOUNG COUNTY VETERANS’ MEMORIAL—Features a 7-foot, red granite star inscribed with the names of 157 county men and women who have died serving their coun- try since World War I. On east side of the courthouse.
HALE CENTER POP. 2,278
ALT. 3,423 MAP F-9
This town resulted from the compromise of two rival villages, Hale City and Epworth, that united in 1893. Buildings from both were moved to the new town site. Ten murals throughout the city, historically depict life in Hale Center.
BELL PARK CACTI GARDEN—Established in honor of Hershell Bell, agronomy and range management authority. Includes paths and picnic tables. At the intersection of
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