City Spotlight: Temple
Most Texas road-trippers have probably pulled off I-35 in Central Texas and into Temple for some Buc-ee’s beef jerky. But long before Temple was famous as a pit stop along the concrete highway, it was an even more famous destination along the iron highway — that is, the railroad.
In fact, while there are many places in Texas that can rightfully call themselves railroad towns, none have as great a claim to the name as Temple.
The 3:10 to Temple
In 1881, Temple was founded by a railroad business as a central depot along their route from Galveston to Santa Fe. A year later, the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad also built its tracks through town, making Temple a critical juncture for all trains passing through Central Texas. Soon, all types of travelers from around Texas and the greater Southwest were bustling through Temple: oilmen, pioneers, ranchers, and even outlaws trekked through Temple on their way to find fortune in Texas. The amount of foot traffic in town made the streets muddy and hard to walk on (well, at least that’s how the legend goes), which gave Temple its nickname, “Tanglefoot.”
Today, the historic Santa Fe Depot in town is home to the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, a great spot to learn the full history of Temple’s origins and the 19th-century railroad business. Train buffs will love all the old-timey maps, timetables, and conductor accessories on exhibit, but everyone will enjoy climbing aboard the antique railroad cars and cabooses, including the most enormous steam engine I’ve ever seen. It’s a really cool place that does a great job explaining how the railroad business was so crucial in forming the identity of these towns.
Czech This Out, Too
One such group of people traveling through Temple was the Czechs, many of whom immigrated to Central Texas in the mid-1800s to start new lives. (That’s why there are so many awesome kolache spots along I-35.)
So, while you’re in Temple, be sure to head over to the Czech Heritage Museum & Genealogy Center for an extra dose of history. Not only does it have exhibits on “Tex-Czech” culture and history, but it also has some interesting Czech art displays, games, and music shows. Oh, and some of the creepiest marionette dolls I’ve ever seen — but don’t let that stop you from exploring this fantastic museum.
Three More Temple Must-Sees
Downtown Temple is going through a bit of a revitalization, with some great new parks and restaurants popping up. One of my favorites is called Treno Pizzeria & Taproom, which makes some of the most creative artisan pizzas I’ve ever had. I’m talking pizzas loaded with smoked brisket, others with ricotta cheese, others with calamari, and still others with juicy shrimp and truffle oil. They all come wood-smoked on a crispy, thin crust, and they’re all absolutely divine.
Another good local establishment is The Old Jody’s, which is Temple’s country cafe. Old Jody’s is famous for what most great Texan cafes are famous for: burgers, chicken-fried steaks, chicken-fried chicken, and fried catfish. The place has been a legend in Temple for decades, so don’t skip it on your day trip.
The last thing you’ve gotta see in Temple is Miller Springs Nature Center, a 260-acre nature preserve just south of Lake Belton. Miles and miles of hiking trails were built around the natural springs, making this an awesome spot for stretching your legs and cooling off in the spring-fed creeks. The 110-foot-high bluffs around the park offer some pretty awesome scenic views of Temple.
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