Texas Backroads Weekly

The concrete remains of a 1920s playground for exotic animals and local legends. The Backstory In the early 1920s, the town of Cisco was booming. To celebrate, they built a state-of-the-art zoo featuring everything from deer and elk to bears and monkeys. It was a crown jewel of Eastland County, but the glory was short-lived. By the time the Great Depression hit, the zoo fell into neglect, and a dark shadow was cast over the park following an infamous, unsolved murder on the grounds. The zoo was officially abandoned decades ago, but the cages were never torn down. Today, the Old Zoo Nature Trail allows you to hike through the brush and stumble upon massive concrete bear pits, tiered monkey cages, and stone grottos that are slowly being swallowed by the Texas forest. It’s a haunting, beautiful walk through a forgotten era of roadside entertainment. Why It Matters This is the definition of a hidden gem. While most travelers stop in Cisco to see the first-ever Hilton Hote...

The concrete bones of a timber empire, slowly being reclaimed by the Angelina National Forest. The Backstory Deep in the heart of the Piney Woods lies a "concrete ghost town" that looks more like an ancient ruin than a 20th-century factory. Founded in 1905 by Hal Aldridge, this sawmill was once the heartbeat of a thriving community of over 70 buildings, including a hotel and its own railroad spur. When the original wooden mill burned down in 1911, it was rebuilt with massive, hand-poured concrete walls to ensure it would never burn again. At its peak in 1918, the mill was churning out 125,000 board feet of lumber every single day. But the industry moved as fast as the saws; by 1923, the surrounding timber had been cleared out, and the mill fell silent. By 1927, the town of Aldridge was completely abandoned, leaving behind only these massive concrete structures to face the encroaching forest alone. Why It Matters Aldridge is a powerful reminder of the "bo...

A concrete tribute to the "Peanut Capital of Texas." The Backstory If you find yourself driving south of San Antonio through Wilson County, you'll eventually hit a town that takes its legumes very seriously. Floresville is known as the "Peanut Capital of Texas," and they have the monument to prove it. Standing proudly in front of the city hall is a massive, concrete peanut that has become the town's most recognizable landmark. The statue was erected to honor the local farming community that transformed Floresville into a hub for peanut production in the early 20th century. It’s not just a statue; it’s the focal point for the town’s annual Peanut Festival, a tradition that has been going strong since 1938. In a state that loves its "World's Largest" items, this nut holds a special place in the hearts of locals and road trippers alike. Why It Matters The Floresville Peanut represents the backbone of Texas agriculture. While citi...

A massive pink granite dome rising from the Hill Country floor. The Backstory Rising like a giant pink whale out of the Llano Uplift, Enchanted Rock has been a site of mystery and awe for thousands of years. This massive pink granite monadnock is steeped in legends—from stories of spirits sighing in the night to glowing lights on its surface. While the "noises" are actually just the rock expanding and contracting with temperature changes, the sense of wonder here is very real. The Texas Hill Country has a lot to boast about, but this rock is the center of it all. On my visit, the Texas sun was in full force—a brutal 100 degrees. I didn't make it to the very top that day, and honestly? I’m okay with that. The sheer scale of the granite and the views from the lower slopes were enough to make the trip worth it, even if I was melting in the heat. Why It Matters Enchanted Rock is proof that you don't need a mountain range to have a world-class view. It’s ...

The lush, spring-fed paradise of Gorman Falls. The Backstory Nestled along the curve of the Colorado River in the northern Hill Country, Colorado Bend State Park is one of the most diverse outdoor destinations in the state. Offering six miles of river frontage, the park is a haven for tubing, fishing, and kayaking. However, the crown jewel of the park is undoubtedly Gorman Falls—a 65-foot living Christmas tree of a waterfall that looks like it belongs in a tropical rainforest rather than the rugged Texas brush. The park is a place of second chances. On my first attempt to visit, I arrived without a reservation and was met with the disappointment of a "Park at Capacity" sign. It took months before I could finally return and secure my spot, and even then, I realized that a few hours isn't nearly enough time to see everything this 5,300-acre wilderness has to offer. Why It Matters Colorado Bend represents the wild, untouched side of Texas. It’s a place wher...

The 16-foot champion of the Great Pecan War. The Backstory The saga of the massive nut begins and ends right here in the Lone Star State. It started in 1962, when a local dentist in Seguin built a 1,000-pound, five-foot-long pecan in honor of Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca. The Spanish explorer famously subsisted on pecans while traveling along the Guadalupe River—which he aptly named "the river of nuts." For twenty years, Seguin proudly held the title. But in 1982, the town of Brunswick, Missouri, struck back. They built a 12,000-pound replica of their own pecan and began a campaign of "nutty" harassment, sending mocking postcards to the Seguin Chamber of Commerce for years. Not to be outdone, Seguin unveiled a new 16-foot long version in 2011 to reclaim the throne. Why It Matters In Texas, we don't take kindly to losing our "World's Largest" titles. This statue represents more than just a photo op; it’s a symbol of small-town pride ...