Eastland, Texas Travel Guide

Region: Panhandle Plains

This community was founded in 1891 and named for a hero of the battle of San Jacinto. The small town boomed in 1917 with the discovery of oil. Today Eastland is known for its Lake Leon, a favorite with anglers.

Eastland, however, is best known for the legend of Old Rip, a horned toad. The horned toad, for whatever reason, was placed in the cornerstone of the county's third courthouse when constructed in 1897. In 1928, that edifice was removed so a new courthouse could be built; the cornerstone was removed and inside, still alive, was Old Rip. The horned toad lived out the remainder of his days as a celebrity, even traveling to Washington, DC to visit President Coolidge. Today Old Rip remains in a glass case at the Eastland County Courthouse.

Attractions

Kendrick Religious Museum. Thirty dioramas with special lighting and sound effects highlight scenes from the Bible. Located 6.4 miles west of Eastland on Hwy. 6

Law Enforcement Museum. The last public lynching in Texas took place at this jailhouse after an inmate killed a local jailer. 210 W. White St.

Post Office Mural. This mural (photo, above) is made of 12,000 postage stamps. Located at 411 W. Main.

Hotels

Booking Eastland hotels

Map

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For More Information

Chamber of Commerce of Eastland
209 W Main St # A
Eastland, TX 76448
(254) 629-2332

Photo courtesy TX Dept of Economic Development, Tourism Division