Tuesday, August 4, 2020 - 1:46pm
By Farah Merchant, THC Preservation Scholar
German immigrants initially sought sanctuary in Texas from political and religious persecution. Many settled in the Hill Country, where the climate paralleled their native country. German Texans influenced life in the Lone Star State—they brought classical and opera music, breweries, biergartens, and their language. The German legacy...
Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - 1:49pm
When San Antonio visitors venture beyond the River Walk area, they find a remarkable range of heritage tourism sites in a fascinating city that’s downright ancient by Texas standards.
San Antonio’s origins are tied to the 1718 San Antonio de Bexar Presidio and the nearby village of San Fernando de Bexar, chartered in 1731 by a group of Canary Islanders. Spain established...
Wednesday, July 22, 2020 - 5:07pm
Settled by Native Americans, conquered by Spaniards, then included as part of Mexico, this region is rich with history and culture. This part of North Texas was also home to several legendary Texans, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Sam Rayburn, and Sam Bell Maxey—their stories are each told at a Texas Historical Commission state historic site in the area.
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Monday, July 20, 2020 - 4:38pm
Known as the “Oldest Town in Texas,” Nacogdoches takes immense pride in its history. In fact, the entire downtown is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Nacogdoches honors its heritage through a statue of the city’s founder, Gil Y’Barbo, and numerous historical museums, each conserving a different part of the town’s 241-year legacy. In reality, its settlement is much older—...
Monday, July 20, 2020 - 3:27pm
The Texas coast stretches 350 miles from South Padre Island to the Louisiana border, extending through a diverse array of towns, each with their own rich history. The southern portion of the coast—roughly 100 miles of shoreline between Rockport and South Padre Island—offers travelers a diverse range of heritage tourism opportunities.
Initially referred to...
Thursday, July 16, 2020 - 4:26pm
The Hill Country is the birthplace of former President Lyndon Baines Johnson and the home of descendants of thousands of German immigrants who escaped political and religious persecution.
These historic ties backdropped by breathtaking natural scenery make this part of the Texas Hill Country a perfect cultural destination. War museums, presidential parks, and exhibits also make the...
Wednesday, July 8, 2020 - 12:03pm
By Farah Merchant, Preservation Scholar, Texas Historical Commission
As one of the last states to inform enslaved people of their freedom, Texas shares an interesting relation with its Black residents. Many locations across Dallas share and preserve the community’s undertold Black history and activism, including churches, schools, and museums.
AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM DALLAS...
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 - 7:34am
Amarillo’s heritage contains a surprisingly eclectic mix of cultural influences, from Native American leaders to legendary ranchers to the Americana of Route 66.
The city’s population surged in the late 1800s, when windmill-powered agricultural wells reached the deep water table, the railroad arrived, and thousands of nearby cattle were corralled and shipped to meatpacking centers in...
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 - 9:29am
By Rachel Galan, Assistant Site Manager, Caddo Mounds State Historic Site
It is a comfort in uncertain times to know that some things are certain. Recognizing ideas and beliefs that are universal creates unity among communities, easing feelings of isolation and fear. All the wild, beautiful, and sometimes unruly plants growing around us offer comfort through universal themes...
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 - 2:30pm
By Bryan McAuley, San Felipe de Austin Site Manager
Texans and visitors to our great state have long shared a fascination with the story of Texas’ independence from Mexico. It’s chock-full of larger-than-life historical figures, intense political and military conflicts, and amazing stories of ordinary people experiencing extraordinary things.
These iconic images share a...
Start your next adventure with the THC's new statewide travel guide, which highlights historic destinations in all 10 Texas Heritage Trail regions. Download or order a free copy today!
