An Historic Road Trip Through Texas

The great state of Texas is full of historical wonders. The Texas Historical Commission is the state agency for historic preservation. There are currently 22 state historic sites in Texas. In this blog we will be stopping by 12 of these sites. If you are ready to take a 1,200 mile/20 hour historic road trip through Texas, then keep cruising onward! 

1. The first (and also last) stop of this road trip is of course Motorhomes of Texas. It is a great starting point in case you need any last minute service or repairs before your trip. It is also your first stop because RVO is just 44 minutes away from your first destination. 
2. Mission Dolores State Historic Site in San Augustine, Texas is the perfect stop to have a quick morning picnic and explore the site before you continue on your long journey. Mission Dolores was built in 1721; however, there are no above ground remains of the mission today. Visitors learn about how Native Americans interacted with the first European settlers in Texas. Unfortunately, the site itself is currently closed for renovations however, the RV Park is still open! When the site re-opens, you can enjoy learning about this early Texas mission free of charge!
3. After your first pit stop, continue up US-59 North for an hour and a half and you will stumble upon the Starr Family Home State Historic Site. Located in Marshall, Texas, this site will wow you with it's elegant buildings throughout the property. Apart from the architecture, you will learn all about the Starr family, who lived there for 4 generations (150 years!) This site is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $4 per adult or if you have kids there is a family fee for $8 that is for 2 adults and 1 child, plus $1 for each additional child.
4. Next up after a little 2 hour drive is the Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site. This fashionable house was built in 1868 and was home to the Maxey family for three generations. When you step into the Maxey House you are transported back to the Reconstruction era that the family lived through. This site is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. While in Paris, Texas, don't forget to get a quick picture with the Texas version of the eiffel tower!
5. Are you ready to step foot into another incredible Texan's home? Then the Sam Rayburn House State Historic Site is the next best stop! Only 45 minutes away from your previous stop, this 1916 home and the history it holds is sure to take your breath away. This house was built in 1916 and was home to one of the best known statesmen in the state, Sam Rayburn. Mr. Rayburn served in congress for 48 years and was Speaker of the House for 17 of those years. Everything in the home has been left exactly how it was since the last Rayburn lived there, the staff just pulls out a different china set based on the season. Also, don't forget to bring carrots to feed Stinky the donkey and say hello to the tour guides for me!
6. Half an hour away in Denison, Texas is the Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site. Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in 1890 and served as the 34th President of the United States. This site shows off the Eisenhower home, which was refurbished in 2003, with memorabilia and exhibits about Ike. This site is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and open from 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. on Sunday. Before we head on to our next site, did you know that President Eisenhower is the only President that has been born in the great state of Texas! 
7. Next up is the smallest state historic site, with a whopping .01 acres. Acton State Historic Site is 2 hours and 17 minutes from the Sam Rayburn house. The town of Acton is home to Elizabeth Patton a.k.a Davy Crockett's wife. Elizabeth Crockett and her two sons moved here from Tennessee to claim Texas land that had been granted to the heirs of Alamo defenders. Elizabeth passed away in 1862 at the age of 70 and in 1911 the state built a monument to commemorate her. This site is open daily from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is free.
8. Three hours and thirty minutes later, you will arrive at Fort McKavett State Historic Site. This is one of the best preserved military post from the Texas Indian Wars. General William T. Sherman once called this the "prettiest fort in Texas." There is no better spot to learn about early West Texas life, than in hill country. The fort was used in 1852-1859, then it was abandoned to lack of warfare with the Native Americans. However, the fort was re-opened in 1868 to 1883 as a major supply chain depot. Fort McKavett is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
9. A little less than 2 hours away from Fort McKavett is the National Museum of the Pacific War. This is the only museum in the continental United States which focuses on the story of World War II in the Pacific. The indoor museum is spread out over 6 acres, which is 600X larger than the Acton site! The goal of this museum is to connect people to the stories of those who were impacted by the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. This museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and is located in Fredricksburg, Texas. General admission is $15; however, WW II veterans get into the museum for free and any active or retired military save $5 on admission.
10. Next, is the Casa Navarro State Historic Site in San Antonio, Texas. This is about an hour south of Fredricksburg. The site is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and is open from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. This site teaches people about Jose Antonio Navarro, who is one of only two native born Texans that signed the Texas Declaration of Independence in 1836. This 1850s adobe limestone home, helps visitors get a break from the hustle and bustle of San Antonio. Speaking of San Antonio, don't forget to "Remember the Alamo" while you are in town!
11. Just a short 30 minute drive from San Antonio is Castroville, Texas which is home to the Landmark Inn State Historic Site. This is technically your last stop on this long and winding Texas history journey. This Inn teaches you about the Alsatian Settlement and how early commerce worked in Texas. Click on the link to see the hours for all of the different facilities at the Inn. Now it's finally time to head back home, well RVO that is!
12. On your drive back to Nacogdoches, if you pass through Austin you might stumble upon the French Legation State Historic Site. This site is currently closed for renovations but, when it opens it will be the newest state historic site. The state of Texas in 2017 allocated $1.56 million to restore the 171 year old house. Once restored, this will be a must see stop while in our state's capital. 
13. Just before you get into Nacogdoches, you might drive through Alto, Texas. Alto is home to the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site which is about 3 and half hours away from Austin. Like the previous site, Caddo Mounds is currently closed due to damage done to the site during a natural disaster. On April 13, 2019, the Caddo Mounds site was hit by an EF3 tornado during Caddo Culture day. Many visitors and workers were hurt and one visitor lost their life. Half of the visitor center was destroyed and the grass house that was completed in 2016 by volunteers and employees was completely destroyed. If you would like to donate to help rebuild the grass house please click here. Caddo Mounds has become a must see site for people who visit and live in Nacogdoches. We can't wait for this site to be back up and running for our community to enjoy again.
14. Wow, just like that you have completed part one of the historic road trip through Texas. You have traveled over 1,000 miles and spent multiple days learning about prominent figures and places in Texas history. I hoped you enjoyed your trip and if you are ready to visit the remaining ten state historic sites, don't worry part two will be up in a couple of weeks! As always don't forget to follow MOT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, we would love to see all the places you have been (use #OnTheMoveWithMOT). As always, we wish you safe and happy travels! See y'all later!