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NAVE MUSEUM—Named for Royston Nave, who achieved distinction in 1920s New York art circles and painted in and around Victoria. This museum is housed in a Greco-Roman hall built in 1932 by his widow, Emma McFaddin McCan Nave. The Nave features six to eight exhibits yearly. 306 W. Commercial St. 361/575-8227. www.navemuseum.com.


OLD VICTORIA DRIVING TOUR—Self-guided tour features more than 80 properties, many listed in the National Register of Historic Places (many are Texas historical landmarks), showcasing the community’s historical architecture. The tour includes public buildings and private residences. Brochures are available at the Victoria CVB. A mobile driving tour website is available online. 361/485-3117. www.visitvictoriatexas.com.


RIVERSIDE PARK—Acquired in 1940, the park is approximately 565 acres along 4.5 miles of the Guadalupe River. It includes the 27-hole Riverside Golf Course, 21-hole disc golf course, historic sites, picnic areas, playground areas, pavilions, sand volleyball court, basketball court, soccer fields, baseball/softball fields, walking/biking trails, kayak/canoe entry, and a large duck pond. 476 McCright Drive. 361/485-3200. www.victoriatx.org/departments/parks-recreation/ parks-division/riverside-park.


Varner-Hogg Plantation in West Columbia is close to 200 years old.


TOMBALL POP. 11,162


ALT. 196


CITY OF TOMBALL: 281/351-5484. www.tomballtx.gov.


Just 28-miles northwest of downtown Houston, the city was named for Thomas H. Ball, a prominent Houston attorney and U.S. Congressman from Texas. Today, it is a hub of attractions and entertainment options, including music, antiquing, art galleries, nature trails, birding and historic buildings. It also is home to Lone Star College—Tomball. The David Wayne Hooks Airport is the state’s largest


privately owned airport, accommodating props, jets and helicopters. It’s also home to several vintage World War II aircraft. Annual events include the Rails & Trails Mudbug


Festival April/June; Memorial Day Weekend Chili Challenge in May; Tomball Honky Tonk Music Festival in June; Tomball Texas Music Festival in August; Zomball in Tomball, Sherine’s Stride 5K Run and Tomball Bluegrass Festival in October; Downtown Holiday Lamp Post Stroll in November; and Christmas on Commerce in December.


DAVINCI ARTISTS GALLERY—Features professional art exhibits. The First Friday Artist Reception each month is an opportunity to meet artists and see them at work. 501 W. Main. 281/516-9595.


HISTORIC TOMBALL DEPOT AND MUSEUM—The old railroad depot was the backdrop when the community of Peck became Tomball in 1907. Find railroad artifacts from Tomball’s past in this restored building along the Burlington Northern Santa Fe rail line. Free tours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. 201 S. Elm St. 281/351-5484. www.tomballtx.gov.


TOMBALL MUSEUM CENTER—Twelve structures include a Victorian home with furnishings, a mid-1800 furnished farmhouse, an early 1900 church, country doctor’s office and a one-room school. The Farm Museum houses a 100-year-old two-story cotton gin, wagons and farm implements. Holiday candlelight tours are the second weekend of December. Donations accepted. 510 N. Pine St. 281/255-2140.


MAP P-20


VICTORIA POP. 64,834


ALT. 93 MAP S-18


EXPLORE VICTORIA TEXAS: 700 N. Main St., Suite 101. 800/926-5774. www.visitvictoriatexas.com.


In 1824, Martin De Leon was awarded a contract to settle 41 families on the lower Guadalupe River. Victoria evolved from De Leon’s Villa de Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de Jesus Victoria, referred to at that time as Guadalupe Victoria. Historical markers and graves in Evergreen Cemetery (Red River and Vine streets) cite the De Leon family. The city incorporated on May 24, 1838, and is the home of Victoria College and the University of Houston at Victoria.


COASTAL TEXAS BARBECUE TRAIL—The trail features seven of the best-reviewed barbecue joints in Victoria and Goliad along with historically significant sights in the region. www.coastaltexasbarbecuetrail.com.


FOSSATI’S DELICATESSEN—Established in 1882, this is the oldest deli in Texas and one of the oldest restaurants in the United States. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 302 S. Main St. 361/576-3354.


THE HILLER HOUSE—Built by German immigrants Friedrich and Margaretha Beck Hiller in 1852, this home is the third oldest in Victoria. It is now the headquarters of Keep Victoria Beautiful. Trails through the adjacent Athey Nature Area are open all day. Tours are available on request. 3003 N. Vine St. 361/571-0582. www.visitvictoriatexas.com/content.php?i84=12.


LAKE—Coleto Creek Reservoir—Coleto Creek Park offers picnicking, camping, swimming and boat ramps. Midway between Goliad and Victoria off U.S. 59. 361/575-6366.


MUSEUM OF THE COASTAL BEND—Exhibits include artifacts and information about early Spanish Colonial mission and presidio sites; the French colony, Fort St. Louis; the first European settlement in Texas; items from the Belle shipwreck; and the Buckeye Knoll cemetery. Admission is pay-what-you-want. 2200 E. Red River. On Victoria College campus. 361/582-2511. www.museumofthecoastalbend.org.


For more infor ma tion about the Gulf Coast, visit TravelTexas.com. 76


ST. MARY’S CATHOLIC CHURCH—Established by colony founder Martin de Leon in 1824, the first church was made of logs and native timber. The present 1904 Gothic Revival Building features a large stone facade, wooden pews, stained-glass windows and arch ceilings. 101 W. Church St. 361/573-4328. www.stmvictoria.org.


THE TEXAS ZOO—The zoo has more than 200 native animals and more than 90 exotic species in spacious, outdoor moat-enclosed areas. Includes a petting zoo and aviary, a paleontological dig site, animal shows, and programs about conservation. Admission charge. 110 Memorial Drive. In Riverside Park. 361/573-7681. www.texaszoo.org.


VICTORIA ART LEAGUE BUILDING—The historic 1898 C.L. Thurmond building houses the Victoria Art League, a non-profit organization founded in 1966. The league features a member gallery with revolving exhibits and a gift gallery with unique art for sale. Guided art classes, workshops and community outreach programs are held on-site. 905 S. Bridge St. 361/572-0825. www.victoriaartleague.net.


VICTORIA COUNTY COURTHOUSE—Built in 1892 by James R. Gordan in the style of Henry Richardson, this Romanesquae structure is made of Texas granite and Indiana limestone. A massive restoration was completed in 2001. 115 N. Bridge St. 361/578-0752. www.victoriacountytx.org.


VICTORIA EDUCATIONAL GARDENS—Tour the children’s, vegetable, water and military-honor gardens. Follow pathways around the gardens and enjoy the plants and flowers while learning about the rainwater harvesting system. 333 Bachelor Drive. 361/575-4581. www.vcmga.org.


VICTORIA FINE ARTS CENTER—This state-of-the-art facility is home to numerous musical concerts and live stage performances throughout the year, including the Victoria Symphony Orchestra. 1002 Sam Houston Drive. 361/788-9335. www.visd.com.


WEST COLUMBIA POP. 3,969


ALT. 32


MAP S-20/BB-11


WEST COLUMBIA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 202 E. Brazos Ave. 979/345-3921. www.westcolumbiachamber.com.


The Republic of Texas was born here on Oct. 3, 1836, with the swearing in of the republic’s first congress and the inauguration of Sam Houston as the first president. Today, the replica of the First Capitol and other historic sites combine with shops, hotels and restaurants to make this a popular tourist destination. The Brazos Belle offers historical tours of the river, when weather and currents are favorable, from Belle’s


PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT


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