Those of you who travel the highways and by-ways of Texas (not the Interstates) have undoubtedly seen signs like “Texas Lakes Trail” with a logo pointing the way along that particular trail. If you’re like me, I always want to follow the trail to see what’s down that road! The Texas Historical Commission has 10 such trails around the state, and they have just introduced the 10th and last brochure in the program, this one detailing the Texas Hill Country.
Texas Lakes Trail is one of Ten Heritage Trails
The Heritage Trails Program began in 1968 when then Governor John Connally established it to promote regional tourism in conjunction with HemisFair, the World’s Fair event in San Antonio commerating the 250th anniversary of the founding of that city. For years the only active part of the program was the signs. Then in 1997 the Historical Commission was given the task of expanding the trails to promote regional, heritage tourism. Fort Worth is part of the Lakes Trail Region covering 31 Texas counties. Our trail features such Fort Worth attractions as Thistle Hill Mansion, the Stockyards and Log Cabin Village, as well as sites from Clifton to Paris and Consicana to Gainesville. You can see which trail comes through your part of the state by visiting the web site, www.thc.state.tx.us, and selecting Heritage Tourism. All bed and breakfasts who are members of the Texas Bed & Breakfast Association should have brochures at their property for the trail in their region.
It would not be easy to travel any given trail in one trip. The idea behind the brochures is to promote heritage sites in the region and to suggest day-trips to one or more of those sites. It’s a great way to see the rich history that is such a vital part of our state. Staying at a bed & breakfast along the way, many of which are also designated, historical sites, makes your trip even more enjoyable.
