Region: Prairies & Lakes

There’s not much in the town of Dime Box, but with a name like that, it's a fun detour for travelers headed east of Austin. The burg is located just east of TX 21 on FM 141.

The town was originally named for its sawmill but confusion with towns with similar names led to its name change. The reason for the unusual moniker? Early residents could drop their mail—and a dime—in a box at the post office for delivery.

Actually Dime Box began up on TX 21 but, when a rail line was built a few miles southeast of town, everyone up and moved. The original settlement became Old Dime Box and today’s community is, well, New Dime Box.

Dime Box also got national attention in 1945 when it was the country’s first community to have 100 percent participation in the new March of Dimes campaign. Dime Box’s citizens filled a mailbox with their collected donations and sent the package—mailbox and all—to President Franklin D. Roosevelt who responded with a call to the city’s postmaster and banker.

Attractions

The Dime Box. Located downtown on FM 141. Don't miss the transparent box perched alongside FM 141 that contains and oversized Liberty head dime, a fun photo stop on your day trip.

Dime Box Museum. Downtown on FM 141. This small museum traces the history of this community that was settled by Czech, British, German and Polish immigrants. Open Friday through Sunday afternoons.

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