Must-See Historic Texas Buildings
You’ll always remember the Alamo, so why not add a few other historic buildings to your Texas tour list? Whether you’re driving across the state or looking for a quick weekend getaway, or you’re an avid history buff or nostalgic for the Wild West days of Texas, you won’t want to miss these Lone Star gems.
1884 Houston Cotton Exchange Building, Houston
When cotton was king, this is where the crop held court. The town’s demands outgrew the ornate Classical Revival-style building on Travis Street nearly a century ago, but it still draws tenants and tourists alike.
Admiral Nimitz Museum, Fredericksburg
A local landmark for more than 100 years, this traffic-stopper in bustling Fredericksburg was the boyhood home of its namesake, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. The stylized building resembles a massive boat, and is the flagship — so to speak — of the National Museum of the Pacific War.
The Baker Hotel, Mineral Wells
From glitz to ghosts, the Baker Hotel has a storied past. Once touted for its healing waters and spa treatments, the formidable building drew silver-screen stars before famously falling into disarray. Looters and history buffs alike have since made their way onto its grounds, which developers now plan to restore to their original grandeur.
The Driskill, Austin
The Driskill is just a stone’s throw from Austin’s busiest streets, but the elegant hotel’s timeless charm has endured. Pass through its doors and you’ll find yourself enveloped in grand Texas opulence, with soaring ceilings, fine dining, and luxuries befitting a cattle baron.
The Driskill, Austin
Gruene Hall, New Braunfels
Like any proper boot-scooting institution, historic Gruene Hall isn’t fancy, and nor is it supposed to be. The well-worn, tin-roofed dance hall in New Braunfels hosts a constant lineup of live music and is credited with helping to launch the careers of Lyle Lovett, George Strait, and other Texas icons.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, Stonewall
If the fact that a U.S. president lived, died, and was buried at LBJ Ranch isn’t compelling enough, consider the property’s authentic furnishings and glimpses into an old-time rural lifestyle. Among other attractions, the site is home to Johnson’s “reconstructed birthplace,” which he commissioned from photos and memories.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site, Stonewall
Old Red Museum, Dallas
Downtown Dallas may dwarf its original courthouse, but the beloved old city hub never stops turning heads. Built in 1892 of red sandstone with marble accents, the Romanesque structure is now home to a local history museum.
Old Red Museum, Dallas
From town to town, common Texas street names like Lamar and Rusk can feel as familiar as the landscape itself. Ever wonder how they came to be? Find out here.
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