Discover Eastland County through a variety of experiences: a storied history at the courthouse, artworks in Eastland, and lakes with different fishing profiles. Cultural sites and bodies of water offer concrete starting points for planning your trip and reveal different facets of the county.
Stories, Art, and Cultural Sites
The story of Old Rip, a famous horned lizard, is rooted at the Eastland County Courthouse. According to local lore, Old Rip was freed from the cornerstone of the former courthouse and found his final resting place there. The tale is therefore directly connected to the courthouse. The Old Rip Parade in Eastland is also listed as an annual event.
The Eastland County Museum features a permanent exhibit on the county’s history on its first floor. The museum is open Thursday through Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; check the hours before your visit. The exhibit’s focus gives your visit a historical theme, while Old Rip and the parade bring other stories and events associated with Eastland into view.
Built in 1920, the Connellee-Majestic Theatre hosted numerous touring theater performances, music events, and plays. It has been designated a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark since 1988. In Ranger, the Roaring Ranger Oil Boom Museum is housed in a former railroad station. Together, these sites offer a look at different chapters in the county’s history: from the stage and its performances to the oil boom.
An older project description of the Eastland Outdoor Art Exhibit mentions 41 artworks at or near businesses in Eastland. Each work includes a story about the life of the artist or interesting details about the original artwork. The installation may have changed since then. Here, art and business locations go hand in hand; the works do not all tell the same story, but each relates to an individual or a specific original artwork.
The Kendrick Religious Amphitheater is located between Cisco and Eastland. It features a permanent religious diorama and an annual Easter pageant. The diorama and the pageant represent two different forms of religious expression: a permanent installation and a recurring event.
Lakes, Fishing, and Getting Around
Lake Cisco is three miles northwest of Cisco, in the northwestern part of the county. The quantity of largemouth bass caught there is rated good to excellent, and two public boat ramps are available. Lake Leon offers a different fishing focus: it is known for largemouth bass tournament fishing and has good populations of channel catfish, sunfish, and white bass. Comparing the two lakes, you’ll find a specific catch rating alongside a tournament focus and other named fish species. This can help you choose a body of water based on your own fishing interests.
Olden Lake covers 130 acres on the Leon River in Eastland County. Several campsites are located along its shores. This brings together a specific surface area, a riverside location, and the campsites mentioned. If you consider lakes for more than just fishing, this one stands apart from the fishing profiles of Lake Cisco and Lake Leon.
Russell Creek also provides a point of reference beyond the county lines: it begins in Eastland County and flows into Palo Pinto Creek near the headquarters of Palo Pinto Mountains State Park. This description connects the creek’s source in the county with its confluence near the park headquarters, without limiting its entire course to Eastland County.
For broader orientation, Interstate 20 runs east to west through Eastland County, while U.S. Highway 183 runs north to south. These routes complement the differences between the places and bodies of water with a brief overview of transportation access across the county.
Discover more destinations: Eastland, Ranger, Cisco, Gorman, Hemphill County, Burleson County, San Patricio County, Refugio County.
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
