Highway 190 Livingston to Jasper - part 2

Back to Highway 190 Suzanne and I go. After miles and miles of forest-lined road, we came upon the town of Woodville. Before entering the city limits, we spotted our destination, the Heritage Village, a living museum portraying life in the 1800’s. We left the now familiar road and pulled in to the parking lot. Our first stop was the Pickett House, a remodeled school house now a restaurant. The all-you-can-eat boarding house style lunch was worth the trip in itself. Fried chicken, chicken and dumplings, mash potatoes, lima beans, homemade rolls and peach cobbler hit the spot, while Southern style fresh brewed ice tea quenched our thirst! The walls were covered with a collection of colorful antique Circus Posters, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere.

After recovering from our long drive with a good meal, I was ready to navigate the dirt road of the Texas Heritage Village.  This replica of a pioneer era town has all the usual suspects including a general store, jail house, railroad station, barber shop, newspaper office, doctor’s office, stables and blacksmith shop, saloon, dress shop, etc. Each building appeared authentic with period antiques and décor.  The Justice of the Peace office, the Cherokee Church, the Railroad Depot and the barn are all historical buildings that were moved to the site.  Other buildings are replicas built to look like small town businesses.

One could easily visualize what it might be like to live in the late 1800’s in a small town in Southeast Texas. Kids young and old will enjoy all the different shops. My favorite was the large display of buggies and wagons. The General Store was surprisingly similar to our modern day local hardware stores. Suzanne’s favorite exhibit was the dress shop with its period dresses and sewing equipment.

After our visit to Heritage Village, we moved on to Woodville. Like other small Texas towns it was quaint and historic, we drove around the square and marveled at her old buildings and architecture. Outside the square were numerous beautiful older homes with the stamp of spring imprinted by fabulous flowers on their yards.

One does not have to look far to see beauty as we see Texas Thru My Back Door!