In many ways, you don’t have to travel far for much in Texas. From diversity in landscapes, vegetation and weather to cuisine, fine arts and entertainment—Texas has something for everyone. It’s quite convenient living in a place that offers so much culture, either right at your fingertips or maybe just down the road a piece.
In our particular area of South Central Texas, where the roots of Texas history run especially deep, we’re lucky to be surrounded by many interesting museums and memorial markers. In fact, you’re likely to easily quench your local-cultural thirst in less than 100 miles from DeWitt to Bexar Counties.
Cuero
With a mission to preserve the ranching and western heritage of South Central Texas, the Chisholm Trail Heritage Museum in downtown Cuero presents interpretive exhibits, research and educational programs. The Ranching Heritage of The Guadalupe River Valley exhibit is one example of this. It demonstrates the stories of cattle ranching in the area before and after the great cattle drives of the late 1800s, including the infamous Sutton-Taylor Feud of DeWitt County.
Some people in the area may not realize that Cuero is also the home of the Pharmacy and Medical Museum of Texas. The site is in the Heaton Brothers Building, constructed as a pharmacy in 1889, which has been beautifully restored. Artifacts include items original to the building from the Heaton Brothers Drugstore, L. L. Buttery Drugstore and Valumart Pharmacy (owned by Reuss Pharmacy)—all of which occupied the location throughout its history. Items of significance from other pharmacies used during the late 1800s and early 1900s are also showcased.
Yoakum
The Yoakum Heritage Museum is located in one of the towns historic homes built in the early 1900s. The museum pays tribute to Yoakum’s significance along the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroad (SAAP) as the location of one of its large roundhouses. This was ideal for the city’s emerging leather and tomato industries in first half of the 1900s. The museum features ongoing exhibits throughout the year such as the Train Room and Leather Room, and temporary exhibits like the Christmas Tree Forest are on display seasonally.
Shiner
The Edwin Wolter Memorial Museum is dedicated to preserving and imparting the history of Shiner. Spoiler alert: It’s not just beer! You’ll find a variety of displays including the Weapons Exhibit with some artifacts dating back to the Civil War; Shiner’s Products and Industries, featuring some of the businesses that put Shiner, Texas, on the map; and the Shiner Exhibit, displaying items donated by Shiner residents over the years demonstrating what makes Shiner the “Cleanest Little City in Texas.”
Gonzales
For Texas history buffs, a visit to the Gonzales Memorial Museum is a must. It houses an eclectic presentation of artifacts, documents and photos signifying Gonzales’ significant role in the Texas Revolution. Exhibits inside the museum include the “Come and Take It” cannon, which ignited the Revolution, and other relics such as period rifles, ammunition and uniforms. A monument venerating the Immortal 32 who died at the Alamo is also on-site.
While you’re in Gonzales, visitors may be interested to check out the Old Jail Museum as well. Built in 1887, the now out-of-service jail was designed to hold 200 inmates. The lower floor of the structure displays articles confiscated from prisoners and information about law enforcement officials who served there throughout the years. You can even view antiquated areas like the dungeon, where the only air and light came from the holes above the door, and the “lunatics’” cell.
Seguin
The Seguin Guadalupe County Heritage Museum gives you a great feel for life spanning the early years after the area was settled by Mexican citizens, Texians and Tejano pioneers. It’s located on North River Street in the old Red and White Grocery Store building. Interesting items on display in the museum include notorious gunfighter John Wesley Hardin’s gun, Native American artifacts, objects used by early settlers, Mexican and German heritage historical pieces, past uniforms and relics from all military branches, and an impressive collection of Texas Rangers memorabilia.
Not far outside of Seguin at the Old Kingsbury Aerodrome, aeronautical enthusiast will be delighted to find the Pioneer Flight Museum (PFM). The nonprofit museum is dedicated to preserving and restoring early aircraft and historical ground vehicles from the beginning of flight to the early years of WWII. Many of the planes are still flyable; the others are restored to flying status. Ground vehicles include a collection of Ford Model Ts as well as period motorcycles and military trucks.
La Vernia
The La Vernia Heritage Museum is operated by the La Vernia Historical Association. Permanent exhibits include Suttles Pottery, displaying utilitarian stoneware produced in the town by the Suttles brothers after their move to La Vernia from Ohio following the Civil War; The Merchants of Chihuahua Street, offering a glimpse of businesses along the town’s main street from the late 1800s through the 1970s; and Muller Bridge, showcasing the original tap and die sets used to make the bolts in the construction of this bridge when it was built in 1915.
New Braunfels
New Braunfels is know for its rich German heritage. At the Sophienburg Museum & Archives, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the cultural influence German immigrants planted in the area. Authentic artifacts and documents demonstrate the substantial contributions the town’s ancestors made in education, industry and the traditions New Braunfels and Comal County have become known for.
Schertz
Schertz Memorial Veterans Plaza pays tribute to the men and women who’ve served in the United States Armed Forces. The beautiful park presents monuments and flags acknowledging Air Force, Army, Marines, Navy, Coast Guard, and POW and MIA, along with personalized pavers and benches in memory of those who contributed so much to our country.
Cibolo
Veterans Memorial Park in Cibolo is another location honoring all branches of the U. S. Armed Forces and POWs, featuring memorial bricks dedicated to Cibolo citizens who served in our military. The park also offers playground areas, soccer and football fields, pavilions, grills, and picnic tables for visitors to enjoy.
More Places to Visit
These are just a few of the interesting places to visit in the GVEC service area. Here’s a list of other museums as well as libraries and historical sites you might also consider checking out:
Cuero Heritage Museum, Cuero
DeWitt County Historical Museum, Cuero
Carl & Mary Welhausen Library, Yoakum
Pioneer Village Living History Center, Gonzales
Robert Lee Brothers, Jr. Memorial Library, Gonzales
Juan Seguin Gravesite, Seguin
Sebastopol House Historic Site (Wilson Pottery Museum inside), Seguin
Jane Yelvington McCallum Public Library, La Vernia
New Braunfels Historic Railroad and Modelers Society, New Braunfels
Old Town in Downtown Cibolo, Cibolo
