A Brief History
Nacogdoches is one of the most Historical, if not THE most historical towns in Texas. This town is rich in history. Nacogdoches was the first town to be established in Texas, with Spanish Colonel Antonio Gil Y’Barbo founding it in 1779. Nacogdoches was a Spanish and Mexican colonial outpost and the capital of East Texas until the Texas Revolution, where Texas settlers forced Mexican military out of East Texas.
Some Places to Visit
Life can be busy, but what’s life without a little fun? It’s good to relax and take time to enjoy life. Taking the time to go and visit some shops, places to eat, sights to see, and just hangout with friends and family on a weekend is the perfect way to take a small little vacation without actually taking a vacation. Not sure where to go? That’s okay! We might just have some places that you would love to visit.
Oak Grove Cemetery
Why list a cemetery you ask? Because of its historical value. If you’re a history buff, you would definitely want to visit this place. Four of the signers for the Texas Declaration of Independence are buried here at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Nacogdoches, Texas–Thomas J. Rusk, Charles S. Taylor, John S. Roberts and William Clark.
Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library
Another historically rich location is the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library is an 1830 breezeway house built by prominent merchant and Texas Revolution leader, Adolphus Sterne. It was lived in by the Sterne family up until 1869, when it was sold to the von der Hoya family. The house stayed in the von der Hoya family until it was donated to the City of Nacogdoches in 1958 as a library. The inside of the Sterne-Hoya Museum shows the history of the Sterne residency during the Texas Revolution as well as the Victorian Period of the Hoya family. The house is furnished with period antiques, family heirlooms, and a Texas history library. The Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Library also has one of the earliest wine cellars in Texas.
The tours are absolutely free, however donations are encouraged!
Website: https://www.nactx.us/696/Sterne-Hoya-House-Museum-and-Library
Meadow Ridge Outdoors
Meadow Ridge Outdoors offer basic gun cleaning, scope mounting, bore sight, and sight-in service on the firearms side. For more extensive work, they work with Matt Hawes Precision Gunsmithing. They also do Cerakote and engraving services, as well as taxidermy! This is a wonderful place to go with your friends to shoot some guns or practice archery at the range.
On said archery side, their professional bow technicians offer initial set-up, tuning, re-stringing, and more.
Website: http://www.mraag.com/
Faceboook: Meadow Ridge Outdoors
The Fortney House
On Friday and Saturday, visit the big Victorian store just three blocks north of Main Street, in the Nacogdoches Historic District of stately old homes. Within the 1897 Victorian shop, you’ll find 14 rooms of Fotney Home’s collections and a huge yard of outdoor art. On Monday through Thursday, you can shop in their store at 320 E. Main St. This location was an old JCPenney store that has been a warehouse for years, but now it’s open with a multitude of clearance items.
This is a wonderful place to go shopping on a girls day out, or even on a shopping date. If you just want to hangout with friends and browse the store, that’s a good idea too. They have plenty of knick-knacks and trinkets, beautiful art pieces, and just a lovely atmosphere overall!
Website: https://www.thefortneyhouse.com/
Facebook: The Fortney House
Stone House Kitchen
Stonehouse Kitchen is a scratch eatery located in Downtown Nacogdoches. Open Monday through Saturday, they serve great food and coffee! This place is perfect for friends and family alike to stop by and grab some coffee and a bite to eat.
Website: https://stonehousekitchennac.square.site/
Facebook: Stone House Kitchen
Instagram: @stonehousekitchennac
Take a Weekend for Yourself
Nacogdoches may be the oldest town in Texas, but it’s far from boring! Along with the places listed above, there’s so many other places to go and things to do in Nacogdoches, especially in downtown Nacogdoches. There are plenty of shops and places to eat. Take a weekend for yourself this month and go visit!
