The first outsiders to see this transitional land from the flat Gulf Coast to the low hills were probably Spanish explorers Cabeza de Vaca and Esteban. The area is most known for it's historic settlements and later German and Czech immigration.
The most commonly travelled route is Interstate 10. Though the hasty Interstate can be nerve-racking and void of humanity, almost every exit holds good possibilities. Any opportunity to follow the original Route 90, passing through the historic downtowns and alongside the railroad, is worthwhile.
Towns along another historic rail line to the south of Interstate 10 are connected by Alternate 90, a slower-paced, more scenic route.
Interstate 10 routeHouston
Founded by the Allen Brothers in 1836 on the Buffalo River, now Buffalo Bayou
Katy
on MKT rail line
Brookshire
Settlede in early 1880s on MKT rail line
Waller County Historical Museum
on Austin land grant
San Felipe
Originally San Felipe de Austin, named for Stephen F. Austin's first colony in 1823
Texas' first English-language newspaper, The Gazette, in 1829
Stephen F. Austin State Park
where an old ferry crossed the Brazos River
Stephen F. Austin called the Father of Texas
Sealy
Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge southwest on San Bernard River
Bernardo
Columbus
Founded in 1823 by settlers of Stephen F. Austin colony
historic walking tour
Glidden
Weimer
Schulenburg
Founded in 1873 on the Southern Pacific railroad (called GH&SA at the time), the town was named for Louis Schulenburg who gave land for the railroad depot which brough prosperity to the farm community.
Schulenburg Historical Museum
early life of German and Czech settlers
La Grange
north on Route 77 past the tiny town of Swiss Alp is Monument Hill and the Kreische Brewery State Historic Park
Driving tour of area Painted Churches
Engle
Flatonia
Annually on the fourth weekend in October, Flatonia hosts the Czhilispiel, a popular chili cookoff in Texas.
Moulton
south of Flatonia
Shiner
on Alternate 90
Luling
Founded in 1874 as a freight depot on the Southern Pacific railroad seven miles south is Palmetto State Park
Seguin
Settled as Walnut Springs in 1838
named Seguin for member of Sam Houston's army Juan N. Seguin
later became mayor of San Antonio
San Antonio
Alternate 90 route
Sugar Land
Richmond
Rosenberg
East Bernard
Eagle Lake
Rock Island
Sublime
Hallettsville
This is a town that has traditions and has fun.
Shiner
Most known to people for the tiny Spoetzl brewery that established itself here to serve the large Slavic population in the region, Shiner was originally a shipping point for cotton and cattle. With the wide popularity of Kosmo's Shiner beer and improved brewing facilities, the Shiner varieties of boch and weizen beers are the small town's main export. Tours of the Spoetzl Brewery are given Monday through Friday.
Gonzales
Also, travel along the Coastal Bend and the Texas Hill Country.
