Chisholm Trail. One of Texas’ oldest Protestant churches, Emanuel Episcopal Church, is still in use. At Church and Walnut streets. The Texas Legislature named Lockhart the
“Barbecue Capital of Texas,” and the city’s four barbecue establishments are popular with visitors. The Chisholm Trail Roundup BBQ and Music
Festival is held in June. Other festivals include the Tolbert Chili Championship, Evening With the Authors, Speaking of the Dead and A Dickens Christmas in Lockhart.
CALDWELL COUNTY COURTHOUSE —This structure made of Muldoon limestone with red Pecos sandstone trim was completed in 1894. It has affectionately been called “ugly enough to be beautiful.” Flamboyant design with cupolas, turrets and gewgaws is typical of period. South Main and East Market streets.
CALDWELL COUNTY/JAIL MUSEUM —This red brick structure represents a rare example of the Norman castellated architectural style. In former cells, the museum exhibits furniture from early settlers’ homes. 315 E. Market St. At Brazos Street.
DR. EUGENE CLARK LIBRARY —Built in 1899 and modeled after the Villa Rotunda in Vicenza, Italy, this facility is the oldest continuously used library in Texas. It features stained-glass windows, ornate fixtures and a stage from which touring orators spoke, including President William H. Taft. 217 S. Main.
LOCKHART STATE PARK —This small, rustic park— set in rolling, forested terrain—offers a campground popular with RVers, a swimming pool, a park store and a creek for anglers. There is a nine-hole course with club and cart rental available. Admission charge. About four miles southwest of Lockhart via U.S. 183 and F.M. 20. 512/398-3479.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/ state-parks/lockhart.
LULING POP. 5,626
ALT. 418 MAP Q-17
LULING CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: In historic Walker Bros. building. 421 E. Davis St. 830/875-3214.
www.lulingcc.org.
Luling was once known as “the toughest town in Texas.” Oil was discovered here in 1922, and today, visitors can see active wells in and around the town, some on such incongruous spots as church lawns, residential back yards and city parks. The world-famous Watermelon Thump Festival is held here the last weekend in June.
CENTRAL TEXAS OIL PATCH MUSEUM —This quaint museum preserves the heritage of the area’s oil industry since 1922. 421 E. Davis St. 830/875-1922.
PALMETTO STATE PARK —See GONZALES.
PUMP JACK TOUR —There are almost 200 oil-well pump jacks in the city limits, and many are decorated as animals and cartoon characters that make popular photo opportunities. A map for self-guided tours is available from the chamber of commerce.
SCENIC DRIVE —Park Road 11 through Palmetto State Park.
TEXAS BBQ TRAIL —Find out where the locals go for great Texas barbecue on this tour of family-owned establishments in four Central Texas communities: Luling, Lockhart, Elgin and Taylor. Brochure available from chamber of commerce. 421 E. Davis St. 830/875-3214.
www.tourism-tools.com/texasbbq.
THE LULING FOUNDATION —This farm, established in 1927 by Edgar B. Davis, was created to demonstrate good agricultural practices. It features a low-stress cattle facility, rainwater harvesting, a solar-powered water well and fresh produce for sale. 523 Mulberry St. 830/875-2438.
www.lulingfoundation.org.
ZEDLER MILL —This architectural treasure was built in 1874 with a sawmill, gristmill and cotton gin. Abandoned since 1960, it has been preserved as a historical site that offers a free cell-phone tour, pavilion and boat rentals. The site is at the end of a
PHOTO: KEVIN STILLMAN/TXDOT
The Caldwell County Courthouse in Lockhart has affectionately been called “ugly enough to be beautiful.”
six-mile paddling trail that begins near where U.S. 90 crosses the San Marcos River. On Laurel Street, just west of Texas 80.
www.zedlermill.com.
MADISONVILLE POP. 4,708
ALT. 292 MAP N-20
MADISONVILLE CONVENTION & TOURISM: 113 W. Trinity St. 936/348-9333.
www.visitmadisonville.org.
About 400,000 pounds of fresh mushrooms are produced weekly at Monterey Mushrooms Inc., contributing to Madisonville’s official designation by the Texas Legislature as the Mushroom Capital of Texas. The city also is home to the Texas Mushroom Festival in October. May features events conducted by the Madisonville Sidewalk Cattlemen’s Association. Lake Madison Park features a 75-acre reservoir,
boat ramp, fishing, picnic areas and sports fields. Madisonville is on Texas 21, which traces part of the historic El Camino Real route that runs from Natchitoches, La., to Mexico City.
HISTORIC INN — Woodbine Hotel — This restored and antique-furnished 1904 hotel operates as a bed-and- breakfast, and is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and in the National Register of Historic Places. 209 N. Madison St. 936/348-3333.
www.woodbinehotel.com.
MADISON COUNTY MUSEUM —This refurbished turn- of-the-century bank building houses a museum of rotating exhibits and artifacts from area citizens, such as the Truman Kimbro family. Kimbro was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor post- humously for his WWII service in the Battle of the Bulge. 201 N. Madison. Off courthouse square. 936/348-5230.
MANSFIELD POP. 62,022
ALT. 680 MAP J-17
CITY OF MANSFIELD: 210 Smith St. 817/804-5785.
www.mansfieldsgotgame.com.
The community that grew around a gristmill established by R.S. Man and Julian Feild in the late 1850s took on the blended name “Mansfeild,” but repeated misspellings over the years resulted in the acceptance of the modern spelling of Mansfield. A self- guided walking tour of several historic homes begins at the Mansfield Historical Museum and Heritage
Center. The historic downtown area is one of the oldest intact business districts in Tarrant County and now is home to a variety of shopping and entertainment options. The city also has 11 parks and the 18-hole Mansfield National Golf Club. Annual events include the St. Paddy’s PicklePalooza, Rockin Fourth of July, Wurst Fest and Hometown Holiday Weekend.
BIG LEAGUE DREAMS SPORTS PARK —Facilities include replicas of eight Major League baseball fields, plus an indoor soccer complex. 500 Heritage Parkway S. 817/539-0700.
http://mansfield.bigleaguedreams.com.
HAWAIIAN FALLS WATER PARK —Cool off in the wave pool and the Kona Kooler river, or take a ride on five large water slides. 490 Heritage Parkway S. 817/473-4250.
www.hfalls.com/mansfield.
MANSFIELD HISTORICAL MUSEUM & HERITAGE CENTER —Housed in the restored McKnight Building, this facility displays relics and exhibits on the early settlement and development of the area. 102 N. Main St. 817/473-4250.
www.mansfieldhistory.org.
MCKINNEY POP. 150,033
ALT. 612 MAP H-18/PP-9
MCKINNEY CONVENTION AND VISITORS BUREAU: 200 W. Virginia. 214/544-1407 or 888/649-8499.
www.visitmckinney.com.
The city’s historic downtown square offers antiques, clothing shops, art galleries and restaurants. Annual festivals include Arts in Bloom in April, Bike the Bricks in May, Oktoberfest in September and Home for the Holidays in November. Third Monday Trade Days are held the weekend
before the third Monday of each month. Find more than 900 vendors selling antiques, arts and crafts at this open-air market on U.S. 380, two miles west of U.S. 75.
BREWERIES —Franconia Brewing Company and Tupps Brewery. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
CHESTNUT SQUARE HISTORIC VILLAGE —This collection of historic structures dating from the 1850s includes the oldest house in McKinney, a general store, schoolhouse and a chapel. Gift shop. Admission charge. 315 S. Chestnut. 972/562-8790.
www.chestnutsquare.org.
COLLIN COUNTY FARM MUSEUM —This facility features indoor historical exhibits, as well as a park
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