Austin In 1839 five mounted scouts ranged over a broad area of wilderness seeking a site for a new capital city for the Republic of Texas. Location on north bank of Colorado River was chosen, where rich blacklands meet scenic hills. Site occupied at the time by a four-family settlement called Waterloo. Name honors Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas." About first of Sept. 1839, archives and furniture of Texas government were transported from Houston to Austin by 50 ox-drawn wagons.┬│Institutions of higher learning include Austin Community College, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Concordia Lutheran College, Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest, Huston-Tillotson College, St. Edward's Univ., and The Univ. of Texas at Austin.┬│Major annual events include Aqua Festival held late summer, and South by Southwest Music & Media and Film and Multimedia conferences in the spring.┬│Austin is starting point for the Presidential Corridor via U.S. 290, Texas 21 to Texas 6 in Bryan/College Station connecting the George Herbert Walker Bush Library with the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library in Austin.┬│The city bills itself as the "Live Music Capital of the World." Austin has it all--blues, country/Western, reggae, jazz, conjunto, Tejano, swing and rock. Performed in various clubs around city and at night spots along Sixth Street (see below).┬│High tech and up beat, that's Silicon Hills. Austin is home to many computer chip makers and other computer industries. The city is home to nation's largest urban bat colony found under the Congress Ave. bridge during the summer. A kiosk on north shore of Town Lake's hike-and-bike trail near Four Seasons Hotel and one on the south shore inform visitors when and where to watch for the nocturnal mammals.┬│The Greater Austin Area offers more than 20 bed and breakfast establishments. For information, contact the Austin Visitor Center.
Atlanta Established 1872 with building of Texas and Pacific Railroad; named for Georgia home of many early settlers. Town today serves a farming, forestry, and oil area. Sites of prehistoric Caddo Indian villages have been noted in the region.┬│Visitors can tour the downtown plaza, pavilion, caboose and war memorial, or cross the Red River on the Spring Bank Ferry. For information on these facilities, as well as events, accommodations, and dining, call the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce at 903/796-3296.
Athens Named either for the capital of Greece or for the city in Georgia (there is local argument). Seat of Henderson County; an industrial center turning out such diversified products as bricks, televisions, pleasure boats, building components, mobile homes, and precision medical devices. Home of Trinity Valley Community College.┬│Home of the hamburger, great American fast-food staple created in late 1800s in cafe on courthouse square by Fletcher Davis; celebrated each Sept. at the Uncle Fletcher Davis Home of the Hamburger Cook-off & Trade Fair.┬│Once known for extensive black-eyed pea production, city pays tribute to the legume third weekend in July with the Black-Eyed Pea Jamboree. An Old Fiddlers' Reunion in May draws thousands of traditional country music lovers.┬│Scuba divers flock to Athens Scuba Park's clear waters for excellent recreational diving and for diver certification. Not open to the general public, but available to scuba divers and group parties.┬│Visitors can stroll through antique malls and find specialty shops, tearooms, and outlet stores.
Arlington First settlement in Caddo Indian territory was Bird's Fort on Trinity River; in 1845 a trading post was established at Mary le Bone Springs. About 1876 town moved to present site when railroad was built through.┬│Agriculturally oriented until World War II, the strategic area between Dallas and Fort Worth has since experienced mushrooming growth from business, industrial and recreational factors. Arlington State College (founded 1895) became the Univ. of Texas at Arlington in 1965.
Alto Originally a stop on the Old San Antonio Road, town is tomato-growing center in redland belt. Name derives from Spanish word for "high" (highest point between Angelina and Neches Rivers).┬│The grave of Helena Kimble Dill, believed by many to be the mother of the first Anglo child born in Texas (1804) is here. (Jane Long, of Galveston, often is credited as mother of Texas' first Anglo child in 1821.) Contact local chamber of commerce for information about other sites of interest in this historically rich area, or Park Superintendent, Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site (see below).
Amarillo Commercial, cultural, and recreational center for vast plains of Texas Panhandle. World's leading helium producer; superb climate with air rated cleanest in the nation for city of its size. Fifty-six parks cover 2,300 acres and include tennis courts, swimming pools, fishing lakes, playgrounds, and 36-hole municipal golf course.┬│First settlement in 1887 was buffalo-hide tent camp of railroad construction workers. Today, excellent accommodations, spacious convention/civic center, symphony, ballet, little theater, opera, and home of Amarillo College.┬│Get your kicks on Route 66! Amarillo was on Route 66, and many Route 66 fan clubs have sprung up all over the U.S. and the world. Look for the "Old Route 66" highway signs installed by the Texas Department of Transportation marking the route through the area, making it easier for visitors to find that piece of Americana.┬│Inquire locally about Big Texan Steak Ranch & Emporium. Known nationwide for 72-oz. steak dinner offered free to anyone who can eat the entire meal in one hour. 7700 I-40 E.; open daily.
Alvin In northeastern Brazoria County, city founded in 1876 when railroad built through connecting Galveston with Richmond. It's named for founder Alvin Morgan. City has survived hurricanes, notably the 1900 and 1915 storms, and a disastrous fire in 1902. Agriculture and oil-related products sustained the economy for years, but, with its strategic location on the southeastern Houston metropolitan area and close proximity to NASA, today Alvin is center for diversified industries.┬│Cultural aspects are influenced by Alvin Community College. An abundance of parks offers places for picnicking; for those looking for sandy beaches, Alvin is just minutes from the Gulf Coast.
Abilene Established by cattlemen as stock shipping point on Texas and Pacific Railroad in 1881, named for Abilene, KS, original end-point of Old Chisholm Trail; later became major cattle producing area with diversified farming. In recent years oil has added great impetus to city's economy. When the city celebrated its centennial in 1981, the city set up a demonstration oil-drilling rig on the county fairgrounds--just to illustrate the techniques of "making hole." By pure accident, it struck oil--not much, but enough for modest, profitable production. Cultural aspects influenced by Abilene Christian Univ., Hardin-Simmons ┬│Univ., and McMurry Univ., branches of Cisco Junior College and Texas State Technical College; community theater and a philharmonic association and fine arts museum.┬│The West Texas Fair, ten days in mid-Sept., features exhibits and amusements reflecting early days of Abilene, plus modern attractions of West Texas.┬│The Western Heritage Classic in early May features ranch rodeo, campfire cook-off, sheep dog trials, farrier competition, Cowboy Poet's Society, Western art show, and many other activities recalling early Western heritage.┬│The last weekend in April features the Buffalo Gap Art Festival under the oaks on the tree-shaded Perini Ranch.┬│Abilene lies on U.S. 84, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports, as well as on U.S. 83, 277 and I-20.
Alamo In irrigated area of southern Hidalgo County; incorporated 1924 and named for Alamo Land and Sugar Co. Abundant vegetables, citrus, and winter resort-retirement area; also one of Valley's gateways to Mexico. (Via U.S. 281; McAllen-Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge.)
Addison City dates back to the Republic of Texas when settled as part of Peters' Colony as early as 1846. Village was established when the St. Louis Southwestern Railroad arrived in early 1880s. Named for Addison Robertson, the postmaster. Today, surrounded by Dallas to the north and east and Farmers Branch and Carrollton to the west, the city offers abundant opportunities for shopping, lodging, and dining within a five-mile radius.┬│Addison Airport is the third busiest general aviation airport in the country.
Albany Seat of Shackelford County, was early supply point on Western Trail to Dodge City; still important as ranch land; beef cattle supply 90 percent of county's agricultural income. Also oil producing and oil well supply center.┬│Old MKT depot serves as chamber of commerce office, community center and exhibit area for local handicrafts. Open weekdays; #2 S. Main St. For additional information on city's amenities, call 915/762-2525."Fort Griffin Fandangle," presented last two weekends in June by more than 200 townsfolk under the stars of the West Texas sky. Musical version of history as it lingers in memories of old-timers is unique blend of hoe-down and ballet, laughter and solemnity.
Aransas Pass Named for pass between Mustang and St. Joseph Islands; on mainland but connected to Mustang Island and PortAransas by causeway and ferry. Shrimping, commercial and sport fishing are top area industries. Waterfowl hunting in season. Guide service available.┬│Visit Conn Brown Harbor, south from Stapp Ave.; at harbor entrance, see Seamen's Memorial Tower, dedicated to fishermen lost at sea.
Alice Seat of Jim Wells County First called Bandana then Kleberg the town was finally named Alice after the daughter of Captain Richard King who established the King Ranch see KINGSVILLE When the Texas Mexican Railroad and the San Antonio Aransas Pass Railroad intersected the city the community became the world s largest cattle shipping point from 1888 to 1895 Town is a dividing point between brush country to the west and coastal plains to the east also between the border region and rest of Texas Oil was discovered in 1930s and town became hub for petroleum business and continues to serve in this capacity for agribusiness tourism and as distribution center for South Texas Beef master cattle breed was developed here ┬│Town s life style is outdoor oriented Eleven city parks offer sports fields tennis courts swimming pools and 18 hole municipal golf course Outdoor band concerts on summer evenings Hunters seek white tailed deer javelina wild turkey quail and dove ┬│For additional information on events attractions accommodations and dining facilities stop by the chamber of commerce office at 612 E Main St or call 512 664 3454
Alpine Established prior to 1882 seat of Brewster County a vast mountainous area of 5 935 square miles the largest county in Texas As comparison this single county is larger than state of Connecticut Today a retail center and shipping point for huge ranching area headquarters for mining companies and home of Sul Ross State Univ Climate and location make town popular vacation area Visitors enjoy golfing mountain climbing horseback riding rock and mineral collecting swimming and camping amid spectacular vistas During seasons hunters take mule and white tailed deer prong horn antelope javelina and upland game birds ┬│Bed and breakfast accommodations offered in historic buildings ┬│For additional information on dining accommodations and events stop by the chamber of commerce at 106 N Third St or call 915 837 2326
Anson Seat of Jones County Founded in 1881 and named for Dr Anson Jones last president of the Republic of Texas Area is one of richest farming areas in Texas cotton production can be observed from field to gin Other primary crops include wheat sorghum hay and oats Cattle oil and gas extraction and gypsum products add to the economy ┬│Each December since 1885 The Cowboys Christmas Ball is held in Pioneer Hall Popularized by Michael Martin Murphey s musical rendition of the The Cowboys Christmas Ball a poem honoring ranch men of Texas written in 1890 by William Lawrence Larry Chittenden after attending one of the balls ┬│For information about the ball or on restaurants and accommodations contact the Anson Chamber of Commerce at 1132 West Court Plaza or call 915 823 3259
Anderson Historic seat of Grimes County; established 1834 on La Bahia Road, centuries-old Indian trail that stretched from Louisiana through Texas. Route first used by Spanish explorers; later became important as cattle trail, the Opelousas Road. During Civil War, local arms factory produced cannons, cannon balls, rifles, pistols, swords, and gunpowder. Today commercial center for rich agricultural area. Contains many historic structures, including Victorian 1891 courthouse; open weekdays.
