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    Caldwell County Museum

    4.5 (14 reviews)
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    Kelly B.

    I am so remiss in not writing this review sooner but i really wanted to keep it a secret. We stumbled upon this cool old place on our BBQ quest. I hadn't heard much about it but we we saw the building and thought it was cool. Turns out, it's a museum. The first floor has interesting exhibits of the obligatory cool old stuff and great information on how the jail was used in the past. It's fascinating that the sheriff's entire family used to occupy the first floor and the top 3 floors are jail cells. It was the sherrif's wife's job to cook for all of the prisoners. How fun would that be? It was 103 degrees out and we were the only ones in the museum. The tour lady told us some really cool stories about the sheriff and then turned us loose to roam the three floors of rusting jail cells. This place was pretty heavy duty! It was 103 outside and at least 113 in those cells. Fascinating place.

    Exterior
    Carmela S.

    I feel like this is a place that you wouldn't know was there or be able to find unless someone told you about it and that is sad because if you are ever in Lockhart I would definitely recommend stopping here! This is a great museum with a variety of history that doesn't just pertain to the jail. Of course you get to tour the upstairs old jail with flashlights as well! The architecture of the building on the outside is beautiful! There is free street parking outside and it's only $3.00 (I think) for entry. The very nice lady when you walk in will offer to tell you a brief history and you should take her up on it. I learned some cool things like the family lived downstairs with the prisons right above their heads. The kids had sleepovers and such and the wife of the Sheriff was in charge of cooking the prisoner's meals and hoisting them up the dumb waiter! You then have the option to tour the downstairs artifacts and history or grab your flashlights and go upstairs. Also, take note that there is not any air conditioning so, be prepared to be hot or go when the weather is cooler. If you are claustrophobic you will not like touring the upstairs jail, especially the first floor at the top of the landing. We toured the downstairs area first and there was lots of great old photographs and furniture. We then went and got our flashlights from the front of the museum and headed through the heavy steel door that led to a staircase. It was dark, dingy and you really got the feel of what it would have been like to be stuck in there. Wear comfy tennis shoes because it's easy to trip. The first floor is the scariest and the closest quarters in the shared cells. There is also some cells that were meant for one or two prisoners. There is still writing on the wall from some prisoners counting days that they were there. The second level of the jail is easier to breath on and seemed way less closed in and hot. The third floor was comprised of a single cell and the lady told us that it was solitary or probably used if their was a woman prisoner. I have to say there is a great view of the city from up there. Stop by and support this museum because places like this are few and far between. They also have a donation box on the way out if you would like to contribute! Very neat history of the early days of this small town!

    Caldwell County Jail Museum
    Rachael S.

    I love old historical places and this one is awesome! Would definitely go back (on a cooler day) with my family.

    This place is def a great place to visit. Such a great little town with great bbq and this museum put the cherry on top! It was so cool to actually be able to touch the jail cells and to take pictures unlike most museums. Really felt like I was in jail in those times. Super cool!

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    Ask the Community - Caldwell County Museum

    Is there a scarry solitary confinement cell?

    The cells are single and shared. All are scary IMHO. Take a look at the pictures. Not a nice place to serve time! Confirm hours ahead of time via phone.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Caldwell County Museum

    The first floor has historical artifacts from the area, and the top three or four floors are the jail.

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    The Haunted Magnolia Hotel - Girlfriend's Spooky Date Night

    The Haunted Magnolia Hotel

    5.0(8 reviews)
    28.1 mi

    Amazing experience! Great Friday Night Spook Day with my girlfriends! We will be back to book the…read moreovernight stay in October!

    Oct 28 is Emma's Birthday... so Magnolia Hotel decided to open the doors to celebrate! Free tours…read morefrom 10am-2pm! I just happened to see something come through my newsfeed over Fb, I bookmarked it, found my schedule open, so headed east to check it out. Emma likes to play in her room... and who doesn't like to play with little spirits?! I didn't know the history of the Magnolia Hotel so was totally clueless walking in the door... Magnolia Hotel has been on Ghost Adventures on Travel Channel. Also, Magnolia Hotel is ~not~ a hotel, it is now a personal residence. To my delight, I was able to hear stories of the old hotel, tales of it's past residents many of which have never left, and how Magnolia Hotel was discovered by the owners. Jim & Erin saved the Magnolia from being demolished... they single handedly have saved a part of Seguin history!... and some haunted history at that! I spent about two hours just hanging out, looking around, and people watching... talked to some interesting people, listening to questions and answers... all very interesting. Did I have an experience? I had something creepy go up the back of my left neck and skull as I was talking to a ghost hunter in the original dining area where the owner was sitting. I also felt some weird things around the house... but something I brushed off at first until I started listening to others talk about it... when you first come up the stairs, it feels really heavy. I originally brushed it off as I just walked up the stairs... but no, go back and you feel it... and everyone was feeling it!!! Emma was playing in her room. One of the guides said just a few minutes earlier, a little girl got scratched. Then someone told her that they saw the door knob in the pink bathroom turn back and forth. The owner, Erin, said this house is more active during the day than at night. Wow! The owners Jim & Erin host a ghost tour in their home on occasion, which books up months in advance. The tour last about 2 hours with in-depth stories which might also include a spiritual reading from the Erin at the end (but only if deceased wish to come forward). Erin has written Haunted New Braunfels, Haunted Seguin, and soon to be released Haunted Magnolia House. All proceeds go towards restoring the Magnolia Hotel. I can not wait to go on their ghost tour!

    Photos
    The Haunted Magnolia Hotel - By far our most unusual capture in the Traveling Salesmen's lobby area. The guest has two faces and she is the one with bangs.

    By far our most unusual capture in the Traveling Salesmen's lobby area. The guest has two faces and she is the one with bangs.

    The Haunted Magnolia Hotel - Erin and Jim Ghedi

    Erin and Jim Ghedi

    The Haunted Magnolia Hotel - Seen on Ghost Adventures AFTERSHOCKS with Zak Bagan on the Travel Channel.

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    Seen on Ghost Adventures AFTERSHOCKS with Zak Bagan on the Travel Channel.

    Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches - More clocks!

    Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches

    4.8(4 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    A phenomenal clock museum, run by Gene, an orchestra conductor who apprenticed in Austin for three…read moreyears to learn how to build and restore clocks. A great wealth of knowledge about pretty much every clock in the museum. If you get a chance, come learn and talk with him; you'll be happy you did and you'll have learned much more about how various types of clocks work. Lots of cuckoo clocks, grandfather clocks, weight driven clocks, pendulum clocks of different variations, from different eras. Mickey Mouse and Angry Birds to inaccurate water driven clocks from the 1600s to faux-mercury pendulum clocks, which would have been business scam against real mercury pendulum clocks. Many clocks allow you to see how their internal gearing is set up. They do clock restorations and clock repairs. There are some really neat time keeping devices here. Certain devices can also be purchased.

    We love learning, history, and unique places so this caught our eye. We stopped in and it has some…read moregreat clocks and watches from all over. The US, England, Germany as well as some cool stories behind many of them. They had a clock from P.T. Barnhem, a saved clock tower, and they take donations to restore other clock towers. It's very cool and interesting. The PT clock was restored to work when cranked. The types ran from grandfather to cuckoo and pocket watches as well as time clocks and sun dial types as well as Egyptian style obelisk. They had a guy who had donated many of the clocks gave tours and were full of knowledge. As Shana noted both the lady at the desk and the guide were enthusiastic and so friendly. She loved how the people made this even better. The enthusiasm spread to us. Overall this was even cooler and more interesting then it sounds. On the outside a museum of clocks and watches sounds like it could be boring but so many types and the backgrounds as well as the restoration project made this place a stand out. They also have quite a few clocks for sale. No where for us to put one but some cool options. Don't let time pass you by. This is worth checking out.

    Photos
    Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches - Clock internal gearing example

    Clock internal gearing example

    Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches - Cuckoo Clocks!

    Cuckoo Clocks!

    Southwest Museum of Clocks and Watches - A clock that runs on Ethylene Chloride gas

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    A clock that runs on Ethylene Chloride gas

    Austin Music Heritage Tours - April 8, 2017

    Austin Music Heritage Tours

    5.0(2 reviews)
    31.6 mi

    Richard was a fantastic tour guide. He drive my friends and I in and around Austin to show us the…read morehistory of Austin music. We viewed many old and new establishments and historical sites along with personal anecdotes from his experiences. One highlight was the Austin Rock Art Museum (hope that's the correct name!). Richard was an awesome tour guide, friendly, knowledgeable and great sense of humor. And it didn't hurt that he bought us a beer! (Not that our bachelor party needed one...)

    I went to Austin (my first trip there) for a conference and took an extra vacation day to play…read moretourist. I took the Big Music Tour (2 1/2 Hours) with Richard and thoroughly enjoyed it. He walks you around downtown (6th street and over to the Moody Theater where they air Austin City Limits) before driving you across the Lady Bird Lake into South Austin to see some sights that are too far to walk. All along the way he shows you key venues explaining their history, plays you music, shows you poster art, tells you about the history of the local music and film scene, shows you key music sculptures, and is generally a nice soul with which to spend time. I'm sure I wasn't the most well-informed music fan that has taken the tour but he generously shared his encyclopedic knowledge without making me feel foolish. I'll add that I was a woman traveling alone and the only one on the tour that morning. It wasn't at all awkward or strange. I'd encourage everyone to take this tour.

    Photos
    Austin Music Heritage Tours - Dec 29, 2016

    Dec 29, 2016

    Austin Music Heritage Tours - Aug 11, 2017

    Aug 11, 2017

    Austin Music Heritage Tours - Oct 27, 2017

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    Oct 27, 2017

    Kyle Municipal Court

    Kyle Municipal Court

    1.3(3 reviews)
    14.3 mi

    Short and Sweet: Never pay anything in cash. Keep a paper…read moretrail as long as possible. They will not be lenient in the clerks office when THEY make clerical errors. Have time to read: Document everything!! No matter how trivial you think your interaction with the court is, keep a record of it all. Payments, correspondence are especially significant. I received a citation for expired inspection in late July 2014. I was given 10 business days to have my vehicle inspected and return with proof with the option to dismiss the citation for $20. No brainer right? WRONG!! I left my debit card in a family members car but I had cash on me. On the day that I paid the fine 3 days before the deadline expires, I have the car inspected at 9:40am at the Valvoline Lube Center on Jack C. Hays trail which is literally less than 2 miles from the court and by 10:00am I am presenting my inspection receipt to the clerk at the window. I will not give her name out of respect. 8 months later I receive a letter from the law offices representing the court stating that a warrant has been issued due to non-payment and that I owe close to $300!!! I am now taking this to trial because I refuse to pay for an error that I rectified and did what was asked of me. My issue is 1. The court clerk either refuses to or is unable to pull the record of payments documented by a specific employee (I can tell you the exact date and an hour window of when I paid) 2. The lack of empathy and to be quite honest, the aggressive nature in which they will lot acknowledge their error. It's like I'm being treated as if the clerk error is my fault. Granted, the inspection expiration was my fault. However, I held up my end of the deal to have the citation dismissed. I presented them with one of their forms of acceptable payment. Moral of the story - Make any and all payments with a card or check or anything that leaves a paper trail. I made the mistake of paying my $20 dismissal fee in cash because it was such a small amount. Months later I now have a warrant to fight and a court date causing me to interrupt my schedule due to a clerical error.

    It is going to happen sooner or later. You are going to get a ticket for something. Kyle is a small…read moretown and Kyle's finest is out keeping the streets safe. I will admit this is the Municipal Court. It is expected that the ratings are not going to be very high, no one likes dealing with Judges or cops in a Court setting. I had gotten a ticket and taken Defensive Driving for not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign. I could have argued that the cop really could not see me in the direction he was facing because it was dark and he had a bunch of trees blocking his vision. I did not have the time to take off work and go fight the ticket, so I opted for Defensive Driving. I pretty much completed everything within 5 days and was done. I found myself being pulled over for speeding a few months later. I have taken Defensive Driving already, I opted for Deferred Adjudication. I feared the fine was going to break the bank being that I am trying to recover from Christmas and my kid's birthday. You can go to the office and enter your plea but you can not ask for a payment plan. They give you 30 days to pay off the fine. I was given a court date and showed up 20 minutes early. This place was already packed with people. I signed in and was the 13th person to sign in. The judge came in 30 minutes later. I had figured if I got their early and was one of the first few people in line, I might have a better chance getting cut a break on the fine and I could pay it the same day. It was over two hours before it was my turn. I made my plea and asked the judge if they could cut me a break on the fine so I could pay it the same day. You figure the City of Kyle would want their money immediately. The Judge gave me 6 months to pay it off and turned me over the Court Clerk. I wrote them a check and left. The system they have in place is a nightmare. If you go in early to plead No Contest or Guilty, you can not get a payment plan. You can request Defensive Driving; but, you still have to pay the fine in full or within 30 days. It would be much easier to have the Court Clerks be able to forward your plea to a Legal Assistant or even a Judge for them to sign off on it and offer payment plans. For those who wish to speak to a Judge, they should be able to do during their court date. I know the big problem with that is Kyle brings their District Attorney's and Judges in from other cities. If the City of Kyle could streamline the process, it would make things go much smoother. Who wants to sit in Municipal Court for over 2 hours after being there 20 minutes early when this all could have been handled way before the court date? There are some that would say, "Well do not get a ticket." This is Kyle. You are bound to get pulled over eventually. A suggestion of either a kiosk where you could enter your plea, request payment plans and pay fines would be awesome. Of course, this all costs money to the City. You have to figure how much money we spend in bringing in a Judge, holding court, paying the Kyle cop who is also in the court. If you could stream line the process it would be a savings all the way around. Kyle is going to get their money and to those people who maybe can not get off work in time or have time restrictions because of family, There was a time where the DA would call you in, offer you a deal and you were done. There were many times where they could cut you a break on fines and you could pay them the same day. Kyle is in the top 5 fastest growing cities in Texas. It went from a sleepy 5,000 person town to over 30,000 people. It is only going to get worse if the system does not get streamlined.

    Kyle Animal Control - Kyle Animal Control "Officer" Briana Brecher (far right).

    Kyle Animal Control

    3.0(2 reviews)
    14.3 mi

    to say I'm frustrated isn't enough I just got tickets sent to me through certified mail and letters…read moreput on someone's front door. I don't even speak to and I'm ticketed with a stray dog being out three hours away from my house. I don't even reside in Montgomery county and these dogs were ticketed to me at someone's house, I had to be found on Facebook to be sent the letter that says my tickets are about to turn into warrants, I am absolutely upset, absolutely frustrated and I'm still trying to get this all handled and figured out. officer H.Holliday has no business writing tickets to someone when she never saw them and never spoke to them, she couldn't because I didn't live there. I live three hours away.

    If I could give this place a negative rating I would but instead I give it five (5) stars for gross…read moreincompetence. Animal Control "Officer" (ACO), Briana Brecher, obviously feels compelled to impart justice based upon an arbitrary belief and understanding of the law while being protected by sovereign immunity. Heaven forbid your dog is ever involved in an rather innocuous incident with a neighbor; "Officer" Brecher will quickly declare your dog, "Dangerous" before the appeal in addition to notifying your entire sub-division of your physical address while your dog is in quarantine giving you less rights than a convicted pedophile and purposely sit on the discovery request until minutes before your dog's appeal. From the perspective of a former law enforcement officer, "Officer" Brecher is the poorest excuse of any public servant I've ever encountered. Kyle Animal Control is just another example of the lack of leadership within the Kyle Police Department but Kyle residents can expect that when the Chief of Police's behavior was a cover story within, The Austin Chronicle.

    Photos
    Kyle Animal Control

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    Caldwell County Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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