Winnie combines a clearly defined local history with two events that follow different schedules: the annual Texas Rice Festival and Larry’s Old Time Trade Days, held monthly. The town’s name, its plat, and a historic marker also point to its railroad history. So two questions can help you plan: Would you like to focus on Winnie’s history, or plan your stay around an event date?

The Town’s Name, the Railroad, and the Historic Marker

Winnie is located at the intersection of State Highway 124 and Interstate Highway 10. The town was named after Fox Winnie, a contractor for the Gulf and Inter-state Railway. Winnie’s plat was filed in 1895, after the railroad was completed, by E. Dee Normandie and L. P. Featherstone. Normandie was president, and Featherstone was secretary of the G&I. The origin of the town’s name and its plat are two distinct historical connections, both linked to the railroad. The “Town of Winnie” historic marker is at the Chambers County Sub-Courthouse. It is not on private property and remains in its original location. The marker adds another local point of reference to the town’s history.

Events with Different Schedules

The Texas Rice Festival is Winnie’s major annual celebration. The first festival was held in Winnie on October 3, 1970; today, it spans seven days of events. If the festival is your reason for traveling, check the specific event dates for your planned stay. The year 1975 also marks a key point in the festival’s history: the festival entered into a use agreement with Chambers County for Winnie-Stowell Park on LeBlanc Street. The other event follows a different schedule. Larry’s Old Time Trade Days takes place monthly on the weekend after the first Monday and has more than 500 vendor spaces. This difference matters when choosing dates: the festival spans seven days, while Larry’s Old Time Trade Days is tied to a particular weekend each month. If Larry’s is the reason for your trip, check the specific weekend date before booking your stay.

Depot and Museum

The Winnie Sante Fe Depot, built in 1905, was relocated next to the Agricultural Historical Museum. The railroad connection runs through several parts of the town’s history, from the origin of its name to its plat and the depot. If you’re considering an appointment-only tour at the Agricultural Historical Museum, check in advance whether a tour fits your stay.

You can plan your trip around your main interest: for an event, first settle on the specific date; if you’re focusing on the museum, arrange a tour.

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Go to the main travel overview: Chambers.