THE SOUTH TEXAS MUSEUM —This small museum focuses on the history and traditions of South Texas. Exhibits trace life in the area from Native American to 20th-century farm, ranch, railroad and oil activities— emphasizing pioneer ranch and household artifacts. Includes mounted wildlife and livestock specimens. Free. 66 S. Wright St. (361) 668-8891.
TEJANO R.O.O.T.S. HALL OF FAME MUSEUM —This museum salutes pioneers of Tejano music. 213 N. Wright St. 361/765-3523 or 361/549-5269.
BEEVILLE POP. 13,061
ALT. 214
BEE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE/ CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU: 1705 N. Saint Mary’s St. 361/358-3267.
www.beecountychamber.org.
On Poesta Creek, the town was originally named Maryville for Mary Hefferman, the only survivor of a family killed in 1853. It was renamed “Beeville-on-the- Poesta.” It is home to Coastal Bend College. Hunters take deer, wild turkey, quail, dove, hogs and
javelina in the area. In the spring, birders can spot a variety of species at Veterans Memorial Park while enjoying wildflowers that cover the area.
BEEVILLE ART MUSEUM —In the historic Esther Barnhart House, this museum was originally home to the Hodges family, early Beeville settlers. See changing exhibits of Texas artists and Texas collections. Free. 401 E. Fannin. 361/358-8615.
www.bamtexas.org.
CARRIZO SPRINGS POP. 6,085
ALT. 600 MAP T-13
DIMMIT COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 103 N. Sixth St., in the Historic County Jail Museum. 830/876-5205.
www.dimmitcountychamber.org.
The famous El Camino Real de los Tejas, which once connected Mexico with Spanish-controlled towns in Texas, passes near Carrizo Springs. The town name is derived from the abundant Carrizo Cane that once proliferated around the freely flowing springs. Hunters prize the area, which is noted for having more
trophy bucks per square mile than any other region in the state. Carrizo Springs Golf Course is a public championship nine-hole course. Call 830/876-2596. Annual events include Bullnanza in the spring and October Fest in autumn.
CHAPARRAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA — The area consists of brush country that is typical of the Rio Grande Plains ecological area. Chaparral offers driving trails, nature trails and birding, plus mammals and reptiles to discover. Primitive camping available. Southeast of town on U.S. 83 and F.M. 133 in Artesia Wells. 830/676-3413.
www.tpwd.texas.gov/ huntwild/hunt/wma/.
FINDS Quick THE ALAMO
SAN ANTONIO GOLIAD LAREDO MCALLEN MISSION WESLACO
PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
Pg. 240 Pg. 240 Pg. 237 Pg. 238 Pg. 238 Pg. 239 Pg. 244
MAP T-17
The Beeville Art Museum is a teaching museum, providing cultural opportunities.
HISTORIC TOURS —Sites include the renovated courthouse, built in 1884 plus the jailhouse one block west. Brochures and maps of Dimmit County are available at the chamber of commerce. 830/876-5205.
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM —Museum exhibits the Wade House Indian Artifact Collection, plus city and county memorabilia. 200 N. Ninth St. 830/876-5788.
MT. HOPE CEMETERY —Contains the graves of 17 Texas Rangers, the most buried in one cemetery. The burial sites are noted with special Texas Ranger graveside markers. Pick up a list of names at the Chamber office. 1412 N. Ninth St. 830/876-5205.
COTULLA POP. 4,183
ALT. 442 MAP T-14
COTULLA-LA SALLE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 290 N. I-35 Access Road. 830/879-2326.
www.cotulla-chamber.com.
The town was named for Joseph Cotulla, a Polish immigrant, who established the site. In the early 1900s the county became the “Winter garden” area, growing winter season vegetables. As water became scarce, the economy converted to hunting and shale gas. Events are a Hunters Appreciation Dinner in
November and Cotulla Country Christmas in December.
BRUSH COUNTRY MUSEUM —Housed in a former school where LBJ taught, the museum features memorabilia of the city and county. Hundreds of photos offer a glimpse of ranch life in the first half of the 20th century. 201 S. Stewart St.
www.historicdistrict.com/museum.
DONNA POP. 17,446
ALT. 88 MAP Z-16
DONNA TOURIST CENTER: 129 S. Eighth St. 956/464-9989.
T he town was named for Donna Hooks, daughter of a town site promoter. Today, it is a retail center for ranching and agriculture of the Rio Grande Valley. It also hosts an abundance of winter visitors.
DONNA HOOKS FLETCHER MUSEUM —In “The Heart of the Valley,” this museum’s exhibits include photos and artifacts from the town’s founding, furniture, farm and
household articles, and a restored bar from early-day Blue Goose Saloon. Housed in the historic Donna News Building. 129 S. Eighth St. 956/464-9989.
EAGLE PASS POP. 27,479
ALT. 797 MAP T-12
EAGLE PASS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 888/355-3224.
www.eaglepasstexas.com.
The first U.S. settlement was the temporary Camp Eagle Pass during the Mexican War. In 1849, permanent Fort Duncan was founded. Today, the city is an international gateway and tourist center, the seat of Maverick County and a retail shipping center. Two international bridges to Piedras Negras, just across the Rio Grande, connect U.S. 57 with Mexico 57. Sportsmen enjoy fishing for Rio Grande catfish and hunting. Southwest Texas Junior College and Sul Ross State University campuses also are here. A site eight miles south of the city is developed as a
federal reservation for the Kickapoo tribe. Events include the Maverick County Junior
Livestock Show in January, International Friendship Festival in late March or early April, Fourth of July Celebration, and 16 de Septiembre Celebration.
FORT DUNCAN —Established in 1849, it was occupied by three companies of the 1st U.S. Infantry Regiment. During the Civil War, the post was occupied by Confederate troops of the Frontier Regiment. Federal troops reoccupied the post from 1868 to 1916. Many restored stone buildings form the center of a municipal park. 830/758-1445 or 830/773-1111.
FORT DUNCAN MUSEUM —Housed in the Fort Duncan post headquarters building, the museum includes exhibits, artifacts and photographs covering Texas, northern Mexico and Eagle Pass from the colonial period, early exploration, Civil War and early 1900s. Donations accepted. 310 Bliss St. 830/758-1445 or 830/773-3224.
KICKAPOO LUCKY EAGLE CASINO —Owned and operated by the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas and located on the Rio Grande, the facility features more than 2,500 electronic gaming machines, a hotel, restaurants, private poker room, high-limit gaming area and live bingo. 794 Lucky Eagle Drive, off F.M. 1021 (El Indio Hwy.). 888/255-8259.
www.luckyeagletexas.com.
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