If you drive an hour and a half west of Fort Worth you’ll find yourself in the land of East…land. The Texas & Pacific Railway arrived in the 1880’s, the Ranger Oil Field boomed in 1917, and ever since Eastland has held its place in Texas tradition and history. While this town, founded in 1875, may be small (pop. 3,600), it’s home to some legends so big they could only be found in Texas.
Eastland County Museum
On the southeast corner of the county square, you’ll find a great museum memorializing every era in Eastland County’s past. Early residents named the county after a Texian soldier executed in the infamous “Black Bean Episode.” Visitors can test their own luck with a jar of beans and learn about the Ranger Oil Field which provided enough “black gold” to help our country win WWI. The most fascinating story is that of “Old Rip,” the Texas horned lizard that lived for 31 years locked inside the courthouse’s time capsule. He became so famous that he went on a nationwide tour and even met President Calvin Coolidge. His body is preserved in a small casket in the courthouse for all of us to pay our respects.
Mae’s Meat Market
You won’t find a fresher chicken fried steak unless you butcher and fry it yourself. But why bother when this combo cafe and butcher shop will do it for you. Their kitchen turns out amazing burgers, daily specials, and hand-battered onion rings. However, true beef connoisseurs can pick out a hand-cut steak from the meat counter and let the kitchen cook it on the spot. Trust me when I say, you’ve never had better (or bigger) steak fingers in your life.
Public Art Walk
You’ll be amazed at the public art scattered throughout the city; from murals to installations and everything in between. Many of them include a famous painting and written explanation of the artistic style and genre. There’s a Warhol-inspired Campbell’s Soup can in the Dairy Queen parking lot and a massive “Old Rip” in a courtyard. But don’t miss the mural in the Post Office composed of hundreds of stamps and the signatures of numerous U.S. presidents—it’s valued at over $5 million.
Ringling Lake
North of town you’ll find two lakes, one of which was built to accommodate the trains for the Ringling Bros Circus. There are hiking trails and fishing opportunities, but come at night and you can summon the spirit of “Screaming Sheila.” While the details are fuzzy, legend holds that a woman was walking across a bridge when it collapsed, killing her and her brothers (and maybe her baby). If you flash your headlights and scream her name, she’ll try to pull you into the lake with her.
Bear Creek Taphouse
Every town needs its own “watering hole” where locals can gather and share a great meal (maybe also a cold beverage). This excellent spot on the town square is just the place inside a renovated historic building. Grab a Texas beer and a “Cowboy Candy Burger” topped with muenster, cream cheese, candied jalapeños, and bacon. If you’re lucky, you can pair it with some live music and toast a day well tripped.
So whether you follow my footsteps or forge your own path, I hope to see you on the road.
Chet Garner is the host of The Daytripper® travel show on PBS.
To view the Eastland episode, visit thedaytripper.com.
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @chettripper.
