If you're at the Hill County Courthouse, you won't be able to miss the Hill County Confederate…read moreMemorial, a tall Georgia-granite soldier that was installed in 1925 and is still standing in excellent condition on the northeast corner of the courthouse lawn. The figure at the top is one of those classic parade-rest poses and this one feels unusually well preserved for being over a century old. The stone is crisp, the details on the uniform are still sharp and the whole monument sits comfortable in the landscape without looking neglected or forgotten, which is more than I can say for a lot of similar memorials I've seen on other courthouse grounds. The base inscription credits the Patriotic Citizens of Hill County and the local Sons of Confederate Veterans camp for commissioning it, and while I won't get into feelings about the Lost Cause era of monument building, the craftmanship here is undeniable, the laurel wreath is still clean with the whole thing standing about twenty feet tall. While there have been broad conversations in Texas and across the South about monuments like this, with some counties relocating the statues or adding contextual signage, none of that seems to have happened here in Hill County. The memorial looks the same as when it was placed here 90 years ago. Even though the subject matter is complicated, it's still worth a look especially if you're already here to admire the courthouse building itself or the lovely Willie Nelson mural across the street. [Review 387 of 2026 - 703 in Texas - 25572 overall]

Located in front of the old post office, this marker points out some of the earliest history of the…read moreconsumption of petroleum product. Of course, Texas is known for oil. The marker reads, "First public use of natural gas began in Texas in 1902, from transmission lines on this street, serving local homes and businesses. These early lines were forerunners of mains that now transport Texas gas to three-fourths of the United States and Mexico. "Other natural gas industry pioneer achievements in Navarro County were the first use of meters, in 1905 at Chatfield (12 mi. NE), and first use of gas in pumping oil wells in the Corsicana field, 1906. "Developers of Navarro fields expanded to Clay County, and in 1907 were supplying natural gas to Henrietta and Wichita Falls; Fort Worth and Dallas were furnished service in 1909-1910. By 1918 new fields supplied Laredo, San Antonio, Waco. Today Texas is spanned by over 83,000 miles of gas pipelines. "A 1918 discovery opened the Amarillo field, soon recognized as the world's foremost gas field -- and point of beginning, during the 1920s, of the first interstate natural gas pipelines. "Texas now has 27 pipeline companies exporting gas. Annual production rate is nearly eight trillion cubic feet. A number of wells deliver more than 20 million cubic feet per day. Texas has 42.3 per cent of proven United States natural gas reserves." The marker was erected in 1967 by the State Historical Survey Committee. It is a little faded and could definitely use a refresh. It is marker number 7196. [Review 804 of 2024 - 559 in Texas - 21835 overall]

Hillsboro Tx. September 24, 2017 This is a beautiful…read morebuilding, although we did not get to go in because it was a Sunday.

Fantastic place!! Cold Beer and Great Company! Come to the VFW and have a Fantastic Time!!read more

One of my absolute favorite spots to wet my whistle. Laurin is my favorite bartender she's there…read morethurs (all day) Fri & Sat (first shift) Sunday all day

Alvarado is the oldest city in Johnson County but it is not the county seat. That's Cleburne. This…read moreis a small town that is mostly agriculture though the large Sabre Structures building is here. This marker is located in Alvarado square. It is slightly weather worn and reads, "Early settler David Mitchell established a trading post near here in the late 1840s, about the time colonists of W. S. Peters' empresario grant began to settle the area. Colonist William Balch, who settled on an area land grant in 1852, was later to become known as the "Father of Alvarado" for his efforts in having the townsite surveyed in 1854, establishing the first general merchandise stores on the square, and for donating land for a cemetery, school, and union church. The town, named for Alvarado, Mexico, soon boasted a post office, homes, businesses, and churches. A community school established about 1855 became The Alvarado Masonic Institute in 1875. "Rail lines extended through Alvarado by the Missouri Pacific Railroad in 1881 and by the Chicago, Texas, and Mexican Central Railroad in 1884 spurred a local economic boom. By 1885 Alvarado had several churches, two schools, two gins, an opera house, a bank, a newspaper, and a population of about 2,000. The Masonic Institute became the Alvarado Normal Institute in 1899 and Alvarado High School in 1908-09. "A large jail/town hall erected at this site in the mid-1880s was removed in the 1920s and replaced with a garden arrangement; a gazebo was added later. (1994)" I did not spend much time in Alvarado but it seems like a nice enough place. [Review 16124 overall - 303 in Texas - 1629 of 2021.]

The Hill County Courthouse dominates the square where it's located. A classic example of the Texas…read moretradition of grand late 19th century county courthouses in the Second Empire architecture. Constructed with native limestone in a clearly symmetrical plan including Mansard roofs on the east and west wings and crowned with a seven-story central clock tower that rises above the three main floors. The county was founded in 1853 and Hillsboro has served as the county seat ever since. It is the fourth in Hill County's history, replacing a two-story brick courthouse that was built in the 1870s. This one was heavily damaged by an electrical fire on January 1, 1993 and was rebuilt that same year through community fundraising and two benefit concerts by Willie Nelson. The restored building was dedicated on April 24, 1999 with Texas Governor George W. Bush as the keynote speaker. No Southern county courthouse would be complete without a Confederate memorial and this one is particularly nice. It's in excellent condition, clearly well cared for. The courthouse is worth a stop whether you're sightseeing or road tripping and especially if you're exploring downtown Hillsboro. It's buildings like this that give small Texas towns their sense of place. Check it out. [Review 386 of 2026 - 702 in Texas - 25571 overall]

The Marvin College historical marker stands in front of what used to be the college but is now…read moreMarvin Elementary School. I was not able to get a decent angle to see the astronomical observatory because of traffic lights and trees. I'm sure the interior is pretty cool but it was closed on this late afternoon. The marker is at the intersection of College Street and Marvin Avenue. There is no nearby legal parking. The marker reads, "The Northwest Texas Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church South, built a college named for Bishop E.M. Marvin at the site in 1870-71. Waxahachie Methodists and others gave land, services, and money to develop the college. Distinctions were attained in music and chemistry teaching. The astronomical observatory was an outstanding feature. The enrollment reached about 250. Financially troubled, the college stressed practical studies in the 1880s, but closed in 1884. The City of Waxahachie then bought the property and used it to house its original public school." [Review 16072 overall - 253 in Texas - 1577 of 2021.]

Best service by Teresa Floyd at the Corsicana Texas location. I did a walk in at the Corsicana…read morelocation. I had received a letter from SSA over the Christmas 2025 break that I did not understand . Teresa Floyd is very knowledgeable and explained the letter. You can tell she is a passionate employee. She made my experience very pleasant and even made small talk to make me feel comfortable. My husband is retiring soon and I will make an appointment for my husband with Teresa Floyd! She deserves a bonus!!!! You got a good one Corsicana!