available at the park store. Admission charge. Take U.S. 175 northwest about 12 miles. 903/425-2332.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/purtis-creek.
TEXAS FRESHWATER FISHERIES CENTER—This facility features aquarium exhibits with nearly every major species of freshwater fish in Texas, plus replicas of record-size fish caught in state freshwater. Also includes a fishing area, tram and wetlands trail. See fish being hand-fed in a 26,000 gallon tank. Admission charge. 5550 Flat Creek Road (F.M. 2495) near Lake Athens 903/676-2277.
BASTROP POP. 7,523
ALT. 374 MAP P-17
BASTROP MUSEUM AND VISITOR CENTER: Historic displays and a walking tour brochure. 904 Main St. 512/303-0904.
www.bastropmuseumand
visitorcenter.org.
This town was first called Mina, but the name was changed to honor Felipe Enrique Neri, Baron de Bastrop, a Dutch nobleman—or so the colonists thought. Actually, he was an impostor named Philip Hendrik Nering Bogel. Appearing in Texas as Baron de Bastrop, he was a primary negotiator with the government of Mexico for Stephen F. Austin’s original Anglo-American colony, and he helped establish the port of Galveston. The counterfeit baron’s enterprises resulted in little profit, however, and when he died fellow legislators covered the cost of his burial. More than a cen- tury later, records in the Netherlands revealed his identity. More than 130 historic structures in Bastrop are listed in
the National Register of Historic Places, with 31 displaying a Texas Medallion. Main Street is lined with century-old structures housing shops and restaurants. Bed-and-break- fast accommodations in historic buildings are available. Main Street and Fisherman’s Park on the Colorado River
offer picnicking, fishing and boating. The historic Iron Bridge has been converted to a park above the Colorado River. For golfers, the city has three 18-hole courses. Horseback riding also is available.
BASTROP OPERA HOUSE—Built in 1889, this venue hosts theater productions in an informal Victorian setting. 711 Spring St. 512/321-6283.
www.bastropoperahouse.com.
BASTROP STATE PARK—This park, set among the “Lost Pines,” features fully equipped cabins and a group facility built by the CCC in the 1930s. A 2011 wildfire affected 96 percent of the park, but most trails, facilities and campsites have reopened. Park also includes a golf course and swim- ming pool. Scenic Park Road 1 connects with Buescher State Park (see SMITHVILLE). Admission charge. One mile east of Bastrop on Texas 21. 512/321-2101.
www.tpwd.state.
tx.us/state-parks/bastrop.
CAPITAL OF TEXAS ZOO—Offers a picnic area, petting zoo and a natural zoo setting. Admission charge. 376A Jenkins Road in Cedar Creek. 512/303-6675.
www.capitaloftexaszoo.org.
DINOSAUR PARK—Educational facility features 10 life- size dinosaur replicas along nature trails. Also enjoy a dino-dig, playground and picnic area. Admission charge. 893 Union Chapel Road in Cedar Creek. 512/321-6262.
www.thedinopark.com.
HILBIG PARK—This park features a museum of artifacts, documents and vintage antiques from Rockne and Bastrop County. It includes restored log cabins circa 1860. 4065 F.M. 535 in Rockne. 512/303-3179.
www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txrha/
b-hprk1.htm.
LAKE—Lake Bastrop—This constant-level lake near Bas- trop is managed by the Lower Colorado River Authority. South Shore Park and North Shore Parks offer swimming, fishing and boating. Parks also have RV campsites, mini- cabins and picnic areas. North Shore access via Texas 95 North, F.M. 1441 east. South Shore access from Texas 21 East. 512/473-3200.
www.lcra.org/parks.
188 PHOTO: J. GRIFFIS SMITH/TXDOT
Sample the “best ice cream in the country” at Blue Bell Creameries in Brenham.
BEDFORD POP. 48,193
ALT. 616 MAP J-18/TT-4
CITY OF BEDFORD: 2000 Forest Ridge Drive. 817/952-2392.
www.visitbedfordtx.com.
This Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex city’s location puts it at the heart of cultural and recreational activities in the area. Events include Twilight Thursdays free concerts in the spring and the Bedford Blues and BBQ Festival on Labor Day weekend.
NORTHEAST TARRANT COUNTY CIVIL WAR MEMORIAL—This memorial names veterans of both Civil War armies who lived, owned land, died or are buried in Northeast Tarrant County. 2401 Bedford Road on the grounds of the Bedford Church of Christ.
OLD BEDFORD SCHOOL—This restored 1915 school- house is listed in the National Register of Historic Places and features a gallery with changing exhibits and a classroom with authentic furniture. 2400 School Lane. 817/952-2290.
www.oldbedfordschool.com.
BELLVILLE POP. 4,128
ALT. 220 MAP Q-19
BELLVILLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 10 S. Holland St. 979/865-3407.
Bellville was established on land given to Thomas Bell, one of Stephen F. Austin’s original 300 colonists. In spring, area fields come alive with bluebonnets and wildflowers. A guide to the turn-of-the-century homes and buildings is
LCRA MCKINNEY ROUGHS NATURE PARK—This park covers three large box canyons and four ecosystems. There are nine miles of walking and horseback trails, including one mile that is wheelchair accessible, and a Natural Science Center. Admission charge. 1884 Texas 71 W. Eight miles west of Bastrop. 512/303-5073.
www.lcra.org/parks/ developed_parks/
mckinney_roughs.html.
LOCK DRUG—See the furnishings and equipment of a 19th-century doctor’s office, and a drug store with an old- fashioned ice cream parlor. 1003 Main St. 512/321-2422.
www.lockdrugs.com.
available at
www.bellvillehistoricalsociety.com. Newman’s Castle, featuring a moat and working drawbridge, offers tours by calling 979/865-9804. Antique and craft shops can be found around the
square. Bed-and-breakfast accommodations are available.
AUSTIN COUNTY JAIL—The county jail from 1896 to 1992, this handsome building now offers revolving exhibits of Austin County history. 36 S. Bell St. 979/865-9116.
BELTON POP. 19,098
ALT. 511 MAP N-17/CC-9
BELTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 412 E. Central Ave. 254/939-3551.
www.beltonchamber.com.
This town features historical architecture from the 1800s. Cowboys herding longhorns up to the Chisholm Trail enjoyed rest stops here. Belton lies on the I-35 corridor and U.S. 190, a segment of the Ports-to-Plains Highway connecting the state’s heartland to coastal ports. Belton is home to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor,
established when Texas was still an independent republic. Students present an Easter pageant annually. Other events include the Fourth of July Celebration and
PRCA Rodeo.
BELL COUNTY MUSEUM—Exhibits in this 1904 Carnegie library building, a National Register property, focus on Bell County history. The Miriam A. Ferguson Collection fea- tures Texas’ first female governor, who was a Bell County resident. Gift shop. Free. 201 N. Main St. 254/933-5243.
www.bellcountymuseum.org.
COCHRAN, BLAIR & POTTS MUSEUM—This museum in the Cochran, Blair & Potts store features memorabilia from the oldest department store in Texas, which opened in the 1860s. 221 E. Central Ave. 254/939-3333.
LAKES—Belton Lake—This Army Corps of Engineers im- poundment of the Leon River offers parks with camping and picnicking, fishing, boat ramps and marinas. North- west of Belton off F.M. 317, also accessible from Temple and Killeen. 254/939-2461.
www.recreation.gov. Stillhouse Hollow Lake—An Army Corps of Engineers
impoundment of the Lampasas River. Parks offer boat ramps, marinas, fishing, picnicking and camping. Between Killeen and Belton. Also accessible from Salado. 254/939-2461.
MILLER SPRINGS NATURAL AREA—See TEMPLE.
SUMMER FUN USA—Tube down a “lazy river” or slide from a 40-foot tower into a Texas-size pool. Enjoy volley- ball on the sand or chill out in the game room. Admission charge. 1410 Waco Road. 254/939-0366.
BONHAM POP. 10,313
ALT. 617 MAP G-19
BONHAM VISITORS CENTER: 327 N. Main St. 903/583-9830.
www.visitbonham.com.
Bonham sits in an area of Blackland Prairie south of the Red River that marks the boundary between Texas and Oklahoma. The name and statue on courthouse square honor James Butler Bonham, who died at the Alamo. Three small lakes at nearby Caddo National Grasslands
are open for visitors year-round. Lake Davy Crockett and Coffee Mill Lake offer camping, boating and fishing. Lake Fannin offers boating and fishing. 903/328-9597.
BONHAM STATE PARK—This quiet park surrounding a 65-acre lake northeast of Dallas offers hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and camping. Enjoy picnic areas and de- veloped campsites amid rolling hills and tall, mature trees. A renovated indoor complex sleeps 94 and offers a game room. Admission charge. Access via Texas 78 S., F.M. 271. 903/583-5022.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/bonham.
FANNIN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY—Pioneer, local and regional history exhibits are housed in this
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