Eastland has a strong focus on cultural history: Old Rip, the history of Eastland County, and its arts and performing arts offerings give the town distinct facets. Recurring events add to the cultural program, while Leon Reservoir, south of town, provides a recreational area. Eastland is located on Interstate 20.
Old Rip and the history of the county
The Eastland County Courthouse is the final resting place of Old Rip, a well-known horned lizard. Old Rip’s glass coffin is still on display in the courthouse. The building’s architecture also stands out: the Art Deco courthouse has a stepped massing, a central tower, and elaborate terra-cotta ornamentation. Old Rip’s life and death are commemorated there on the last Monday in February. A new pocket park near the courthouse features a statue of Old Rip.
Another glimpse into the county’s history can be found at the Eastland Law Enforcement Museum. Housed in the former county jail, built in 1897, it displays numerous artifacts and memorabilia about the history of Eastland County and law enforcement. The former jail temporarily housed one of the notorious Santa Claus Bank Robbers in 1927. The Burkett House is listed as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and features elements of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. At the Connellee House, the basement also tells a story about its construction: it was built in 1876 using lumber hauled from Dallas by ox wagon.
Museum, art, and stage
The Eastland County Museum’s permanent exhibition is devoted to the history of Eastland County; other rooms are reserved for temporary and traveling exhibitions. The Genealogy Room complements this overview with Eastland County family histories, obituaries, yearbooks, and cemetery records. It opened in late 2024 and offers computer and internet access for research. The room is open Thursday through Saturday during regular museum hours, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Check the hours before your visit.
The Lyric Art Center is located on historic Old Rip Square in a building that served as the Lyric Movie Theatre and Campbell’s General Store in the 1930s. The Art Center’s program includes music events, dance classes, art exhibitions, and community dances. Reproductions at the Outdoor Art Museum are accompanied by information about the artist’s background or the art style. By 2015, the Outdoor Art Museum included 42 artworks spread across Eastland; the collection may have changed since then.
The Majestic Theatre was built in 1920 and was fully equipped for stage productions. Today, it shows feature films from Friday through Monday and hosts classic film screenings, concerts, meetings, school and religious events, as well as touring stage productions for children and adults. The screenings and events offer different reasons to visit; check the current schedule, as dates may change.
Festivals and event venues
The annual RipFest is held at Old Rip Square. The program includes a 5K run, a large parade, vendor booths, live entertainment, a children’s area, a car show, and a wide variety of food. Individual program details may change. The Rip’s Ribs Cook-Off, a barbecue event, is also held annually at Old Rip Square in downtown Eastland. The Rip’s Wine Festival is held annually downtown. Details for these festivals may also vary from year to year.
Grimes Memorial Garden features bronze statues, a fountain, an open courtyard, and a covered patio for outdoor events. The Lumber Yard Event Center can accommodate up to 250 guests and opens onto this covered patio. Together, the two venues offer distinct parts of the same event setup: an open garden area and a space with a stated guest capacity.
Another side of Eastland
City Park is one of three public parks in Eastland. Leon Reservoir lies about seven miles south of Eastland and is used, among other things, for recreation. Alongside the town’s history, museums, and performing arts, it offers a destination in the surrounding area specifically used for recreation.
Discover more destinations: Cisco, Gorman, Ranger
For the broader travel overview: Eastland County.
