Texas Backroads Weekly

The "Tower Station" that defined the golden age of Route 66. The Backstory In 1936, a man named J.M. Tindall had a vision for a world-class rest stop in the middle of the Texas Panhandle. He commissioned architect Joseph Berry to create something that would stop travelers in their tracks. The result was the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn , a stunning example of "Art Deco" architecture, featuring two flared towers, green neon lights, and intricate glazed tile work. The name "U-Drop Inn" was actually chosen through a local contest (won by an 8-year-old boy). It served as a Conoco gas station, a café, and a retail store, becoming one of the most famous landmarks on the entire stretch of Route 66 between Chicago and Los Angeles. When the Mother Road was bypassed by I-40 in the 1970s, the building fell into decay, but the town of Shamrock eventually saved it, restoring it to its 1930s glory with the help of a federal grant. 📍 At a Glance ...

The only Eiffel Tower in the world with a 10-gallon attitude. The Backstory In 1993, the town of Paris, Texas, decided it was time to honor its French namesake with a replica of the Eiffel Tower. Built by members of the local welders' union (Boilermakers Local #902), the tower was a point of pride for the community. However, a problem arose almost immediately: Paris, Tennessee, was building their own replica at the exact same time—and theirs was rumored to be taller. For five years, the two towns engaged in a silent "tower war." Finally, in 1998, the Texans did what Texans do best: they added a three-and-a-half-foot-tall, cherry-red Stetson cowboy hat to the very top. This move not only gave the Texas tower the "height advantage" (bringing it to a total of 65 feet) but also gave it a personality that no other replica in the world could match. While Las Vegas eventually built a much larger version, Paris, Texas remains the undisputed champion of the...

The sign that has tempted millions of I-35 travelers to pull over since 1967. The Backstory Since 1967, the Snake Farm has been the ultimate "I-dare-you" stop for families driving between Austin and San Antonio. Originally opened as a reptile-focused roadside attraction, it quickly became a piece of Texas pop culture. Its reputation for being a bit rugged and mysterious was cemented in 2006 when Texas musician Ray Wylie Hubbard released his cult-favorite song, "Snake Farm," describing the place in all its swampy, slithering glory. In 2007, the facility underwent a massive change in ownership and was rebranded as Animal World & Snake Farm Zoo . It transitioned from a simple roadside curiosity into a fully accredited zoological park. Today, it focuses heavily on conservation and rescue, housing everything from primates and hyenas to some of the most venomous snakes on the planet. 📍 At a Glance Location: 5640 IH 35 S, New Braunfels, TX...

The high-pitched tin roof that has echoed with the sound of Texas music since 1878. The Backstory Nestled in the historic district of Gruene (now part of New Braunfels), Gruene Hall is more than just a music venue—it is a cathedral of country music. Built in 1878 by Henry (Heinrich) D. Gruene, the hall was designed to be the social center of a thriving cotton-farming community. For over a century, it has survived boll weevil infestations, the Great Depression, and the rise of modern stadiums, never once closing its doors. The hall was nearly razed in the 1970s for a housing development, but it was saved by preservationists who realized that the "dusty old shack" was actually a historical treasure. In 1975, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places, and it has since become a bucket-list stage for every serious country and Americana artist in the world. From Willie Nelson to George Strait (who played here regularly in the 70s), the walls of Gruene ...

The center where skeptics and believers meet under the desert stars. The Backstory In the vast, high-desert plains of the Trans-Pecos, there is a phenomenon that has baffled locals, scientists, and travelers since the 1880s. The Marfa Lights (or "Ghost Lights") are mysterious orbs of light that appear on the horizon between Marfa and the Paisano Pass. First reported by a young cowhand named Robert Reed Ellison in 1883, the lights were originally thought to be Apache campfires, but they have persisted long after the campfires went out. The Marfa Lights Viewing Area was built by the state of Texas to give "light hunters" a safe, designated spot to watch the horizon. Located nine miles east of town on US-90, the facility looks like a modern desert bunker, complete with binoculars and educational plaques. Whether you believe they are atmospheric reflections, swamp gas, or something supernatural, the experience of standing in the pitch-black desert waitin...

The sparkling jewel of the Texas Gulf Coast. The Backstory The name "Kemah" comes from a Karankawa Indian word meaning "wind in my face," and that’s exactly what you get at this waterfront destination. While the area has been a hub for shrimping and fishing for a century, the Kemah Boardwalk as we know it today was developed by Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s Inc. in the late 1990s. It was designed to bring the classic Atlantic City or Santa Monica "pleasure pier" vibe to the Lone Star State. The boardwalk has survived its fair share of Texas weather, including a devastating hit from Hurricane Ike in 2008. But like a true Texan, it came back bigger and better, serving as a hub for dining, thrill rides, and live music that draws millions of visitors every year. 📍 At a Glance Location: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565 Region: Gulf Coast Typical Timeframe: 4 - 6 hours Must Ride: The Boardwalk Bullet wooden roller coaste...