Houston County is the oldest county in the Republic of Texas and located in Davy Crockett National Forest.

Visit historic homes, the Depot Museum, Davy Crockett Springs with the 6 flags over Texas, historic district with the Tchopitoulas Hotel building and restaurant and Miles Chapel – oldest church site in Crockett.

Enjoy Cowboys, Fiddlers, Festivals, and Fun along with many historical sites. There is something for everyone who visits the Paradise in the Pines.

Visit Crockett online at www.crockettareachamber.org

The word Alto is Spanish for High and Alto is the high point between two rivers the Naches and the Angelina, located in Cherokee County. We are one of the few sites where all of the Trails merged as they headed east to west the original trail still runs through the middle of town.

Home of Mound Builders of Caddoan origin who lived in the region for 500 years beginning about A.D. 800, now Caddoan Mounds State Historic Site is a chief archeological site in Texas. Robert F. Mitchell founded Alto in 1849 and is buried in the Alto Cemetery.

Today the Chamber of Commerce is working toward the restoration and opening of the Alto Herald Building and its vintage printing equipment.

Visit Alto online at www.rusktexascoc.org or www.altotexas.info

The oldest town in Texas, Nacogdoches (Nack-a-doe-chis) was founded by the Spanish in the 1700s. Nacogdoches is a treasure trove of history, including jewels like the Durst-Taylor Historic House and Gardens, the Sterne-Hoya House Museum and Millard’s Crossing Historic Village. Annual events such as the Nacogdoches Azalea Trail and Nine Flags festival are some of the best times to make the scenic drive to the oldest town in Texas.

It was here in Nacogdoches located on the El Camino Real and became a gateway for trade with the French in Louisiana and later with Americans. It was also the site of three failed attempts to establish a Republic of Texas prior to 1830. The Battle of Nacogdoches, in 1832, freed the area of Mexican troops making the way for the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Visit Nacogdoches online at www.visitnacogdoches.org

Located at the crossroads of the Natchez Trace and the El Camino Real, Natchitoches (Nack-a-tish), the oldest settlement in the Louisiana Purchase established in 1714. Los Adaes State Historic Site located 15 west of Natchitoches was the site of the capital of Spanish Texas for over 50 years.

Natchitoches Parish is home to Cane River Creole National Historical Park at Oakland & Magnolia Plantations and Melrose Plantation all within the boundaries of the Cane River National Heritage Area.

The Natchitoches area offers numerous attractions, historic fort sites and museums along with recreational opportunities and year round festivals including the annual Festival of Lights.

Visit Natchitoches online at www.natchitoches.net

The entrance into Sabine Parish along the El Camino Real crosses the breathtaking 186,000 acre Toledo Bend Reservoir. Fifty largemouth bass weighing over 10 lbs. each were harvested from this great water body within the last year. Toledo Bend Country also offers two golf courses, four state parks including historic Ft. Jesup and Hodges Gardens, and over 25 resorts and accommodations.

Following the Louisiana Purchase, this land became neutral territory or No Man’s Land, home to outlaws and renegade Indians and no law enforcement.

Communities in the area offer six festivals, including the Zwolle Tamale Festival, Fisher Sawmill Days and the Re-enactment of the Civil War in Pleasant Hill.

Visit Sabine Parish online at www.toledobendlakecountry.com

Early settlers came into San Augustine County on the old San Antonio road also known as the El Camino Real de los Tejas after crossing the Sabine River. San Augustine is home of many firsts including the first town on the old San Antonio Road, first university, the birthplace of Protestant religion in Texas, and the first American settlement. More than 50 Texas Historical markers record the history of San Augustine County.

Historic churches blend into the tree-lined landscape along with historic homes & buildings from Greek revival to Victorian.

Sam Rayburn Reservoir and Toledo Bend Lake are minutes away and a paradise for outdoor sports and nature lovers.

Visit San Augustine online at www.sanaugustinetx.com or visit.sanaugustinetx.com

Sabine County, Texas

Beautiful and historic Sabine County offers visitors a chance to explore the Sabine National Forest, enjoy water-related activities on Toledo Bend and Sam Rayburn Lake, or hunt for hidden treasure in the quaint shops and antique stores. Sabine County Jail Museum and the Pratt House both located in the county seat of Hemphill.

Lying directly on the El Camino Real near the banks of Borregas Creek and the site of Stephen F. Austin's first night of encampment in Texas, is Milam, with the oldest continually operating Post Office in the State of Texas.  Also of note in Milam is the historic C. A. Nethery General Merchandise circa 1880 still under the operation of the Nethery family and the oldest continually run business in Sabine County.  The old building (pictured) now houses Nethery's Antiques which hosts an annual outdoor trade days the first weekend in May.  Milam Settlers Day in another popular festival event held annually in El Camino Park of Milam the weekend prior to Thanksgiving.

Sabine County is also home to one of the earliest Pre-Republic, Anglo-American structures in Texas – The Gaines-Oliphint House. The house is the only surviving structure of the early settlement of Gaines Ferry. It is located on the Sabine River crossing of the El Camino Real de los Tejas in present-day Pendleton Harbor Subdivision.  Gaines-Oliphint Pioneer Day is held the third Saturday of April each year to help raise funds for the restoration and perservation of the historic house.

Contact Sabine County at www.sabinecountytexas.com