If you find yourself wandering the rural pastures between Waco and East Texas, you might miss Mexia (pronounced “Muh-HAY-uh”). Or, you’ll think you made a wrong turn into Mexico. But this oft-overlooked burg (population 7,000) is a history-lover’s dream where frontier forts, jukebox legends, and chicken-fried goodness all share the same zip code.
Old Fort Parker
Start your trip at Old Fort Parker, built in 1834 and still the only stop in Texas that looks like Jamestown picked up and moved south. Its wooden palisade feels ripped from a pioneer movie set, but the story here is all too real. In May 1836, a Comanche war party raided the fort and captured young Cynthia Ann Parker. She grew up among the Comanche, married Chief Peta Nocona, and became mother to Quanah Parker—the tribe’s last and greatest chief. Today, you can climb the gun towers, step inside rough-hewn cabins, and feel the weight of one of Texas’ most pivotal frontier stories.
Joe Friday’s Diner
After time-traveling back to the 1830s, you’ll need something to bring you back to modern reality, well, the 1950s at least. Joe Friday’s Diner leans into retro charm with vinyl booths, vintage signs, and a menu straight out of your grandma’s recipe box. The chicken-fried steak is fried golden and smothered in cream gravy, while the burgers come stacked taller than a cowboy hat. My pick? The “Three Little Pigs Sandwich”—pork chop, fried ham, and bacon on Texas toast. You’ll be oinking all the way out the door, if you can still walk after finishing it.
Home of Cindy Walker
Not all heroes wield rifles; some wield rhymes. Mexia’s own Cindy Walker turned lyrics into gold, penning hits for Bing Crosby, Bob Wills, Roy Orbison, and even Elvis. Stroll by her larger-than-life mural on McKinney Street, then swing past her humble home on Brooks Street, soon to become a museum. From this modest house, Walker built a career that landed her in both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Proof that world-changing creativity sometimes springs from the quietest of places.
Fort Parker State Park
Just a few miles from the old fort, Fort Parker State Park offers a different kind of frontier: peace and quiet. Built in the 1930s by the CCC, the park centers on a tree-lined lake perfect for fishing, kayaking, or just staring off the pier while pretending you’re Huck Finn. Trails weave through prairie and forest, making it an easy spot to stretch your legs and breathe in the Central Texas air. History may echo at Old Fort Parker, but here you can hear crickets and cicadas instead.
The Farm House
Cap off the trip at The Farm House, where the sweet tea never runs dry and the portions look like they were meant for a hay crew. Everything’s fried to perfection, but the superstar is the catfish—crispy, golden, and worth the drive alone. I asked the owner for the secret and he grinned while confessing it’s lemonade drink mix in the batter. But you couldn’t tell—it just tastes like the best catfish you’ve ever had.
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 Mexia episode, visit thedaytripper.com.
Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, and X @chettripper.
