The Brazos River, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers (translated as “The River of the Arms of God”), is the longest river in Texas and the 11th longest river...
Things to See & Do in Central Texas
Frio River in the Hill Country
The word frío is Spanish for cold, a clear reference to the spring-fed coolness of the river.
St. Michael’s Catholic Church
Located in Weimar. Established as a Mission in 1888, by Father Edward Brucklin, who became first resident priest in 1892. An earlier frame structure was replaced by this stately sanctuary in 1913...
Navasota
Navasota was founded in 1831 as the stagecoach stop of Nolansville. Its name was changed in 1858 to Navasota, a name perhaps derived from the Native American word nabatoto (“muddy water”).
Devils Waterhole in Inks Lake State Park
Devil’s Waterhole is a small extension of Inks Lake in Burnet, which is almost completely surrounded by rock. A canoe tour is conducted at Devil’s Waterhole, and although diving and...
Hill Country Sunrise
A Spring sunrise in the Hill Country. Photo by Adam Barker
Brenham
Brenham, the county seat of Washington County, is on U.S. Highway 290 seventy-two miles northwest of Houston. The Hickory Grove community changed its name in 1843 to Brenham in honor of Republic of...
Colorful Tour of the Hill Country Painted Churches
When immigrants from Moravia found passage into Galveston, the Ellis Island of the South, many headed for the Texas Hill Country bringing a piece of their homeland with them.
Starlite Drive-In in Schertz
The ticket booth and marquee are still standing. In its day, capacity was around 200 cars. photo by Noel Kerns
Circa 1618-1648 Steinbach Haus in Castroville
The Steinbach Haus was originally built in Wahlbach, France between 1618 and 1648 and lived in until 1988. Centuries after it was built, it was gifted to the city of Castroville.
Chappell Hill
Chappell Hill is a small rural community in the eastern portion of Washington County, Texas, United States. It is located along U.S. Highway 290 roughly halfway between Brenham and Hempstead...
Bluff Dale
Bluff Dale, on U.S. Highway 377 and the North Paluxy River in northeastern Erath County, was originally called Bluff Spring by the pioneers who settled near the site’s artesian wells. Bluff...
Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Bielau
The Rev. G. Geiger organized Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on June 2, 1886, with a membership of six families. The church serves two communities, Content and New Bielau, located within one mile...
Mission San Juan Capistrano in San Antonio
Originally founded in 1716 in eastern Texas, Mission San Juan Capistrano was transferred in 1731 to its present location. In 1756, the stone church, a friary, and a granary were completed. A larger...
St. Olaf Kirke
St. Olaf Kirke, commonly referred to as The Rock Church, is a small Lutheran church located outside of Cranfills Gap in an unincorporated rural community known as Norse. St. Olaf Kirke is situated on...
Lady Bird Lake in Austin
Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) is a reservoir on the Colorado River in Downtown Austin. It was created in 1960 by the construction of Longhorn Dam and is owned and operated by the City of Austin...
Fredericksburg
Located in Gillespie County, Fredericksburg was founded in 1846 and named after Prince Frederick of Prussia. Old-time German residents often referred to Fredericksburg as Fritztown, a nickname that...
Giddings
Giddings, county seat of Lee County, is on U.S. highways 290 and 77, fifty-five miles east of Austin and 100 miles west of Houston. The land was originally part of Stephen F. Austin’s colony...