The land of BBQ and rodeo, of pecan pie and line-dancing, the home of former President Bush, and of Cowboys (football, that is), has often been described as a place you don’t mess with. But don’t let the Lone Star State’s self-proclaimed logo (or legendary penchant for gun-toting) fool you. Texans are, by and large, a warm and hospitable lot, embracing both the southern hospitality that you’d expect when you hear their twang (especially from waitresses that call you “hon”) and the ideals that founded this great country (Texans love the land of the free!). And while you may be more familiar with cities like Dallas, Houston, and Austin, you might be surprised to find that their lesser-known cousin, Tioga, has a lot to offer, as well. If you’ve never heard of this small town, you’re not alone. But they have a few claims to fame to recommend them to travelers.
For one thing, Tioga was originally settled because of its healing mineral waters. As the story goes, a train stopped in the spot where Tioga now stands and the men who drank the water they found there later expounded upon its healing properties, leading to the founding of the town and their thriving mineral-water bottling business. These days, the bottling has long since subsided, but you can get a taste of their magical waters from any tap in town!
And like most places in Texas, you can’t go far without finding some famous BBQ. In this case it comes courtesy of Clark’s Outpost Bar-B-Q, where the laid-back attitude infiltrates their cooking; all the meats are slow-smoked, resting on the smoker from 8 hours (ribs) to 3+ days (brisket). And while their guests include celebrities, star athletes, and the news media (they’ve had exposure in prestigious magazines like Bon Appetite and People, as well as on major networks like ABC, NBC, and CBS), they haven’t gotten too big for their britches. In their own words, “Ya’ll more than welcome to come by and visit.”
But the thing that Tioga is probably most famous for is the singing cowboy who was born and raised there: Gene Autry. He held his first job at Sam Anderson’s barber shop and was known to sing at several locations around town, including the train station. While the Tioga Museum and Heritage Association has preserved many of the historical artifacts connected to this legendary singer’s time in Tioga, visitors are invited to tour the town to see locations he frequented, or check out his Uncle Cal’s house, which is currently undergoing a bid to become a national landmark. If you’re not sure where to start, the museum houses photos of many locations that Autry frequented and museum attendants can help you find them, if they still exist.
Although Tioga may not be as prominent as some of the larger cities in Texas, they more than make up for it with their down-home cooking and small-town demeanor. Anyone who shows up here will be treated as a guest (especially if they stay at nearby Alexander Bed and Breakfast Acres), and the many historically famous draws will certainly provide some entertainment for travelers looking to explore.
Jamie Ryan writes for Barbados Holidays where you can plan your next exciting vacation.