Anson offers several distinct points of interest when choosing a travel destination: the town’s development, historic buildings, the tradition of the Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball and golf. If you’re looking for accommodation, you can use these themes to decide whether Anson suits your travel interests. The town’s history can be told through its names and buildings; the Ball’s dance tradition and the golf course offer different points of focus.
Town History in Names and Buildings
Anson was first established at Fort Phantom Hill and later moved to its present location. The town was renamed in honor of Anson Jones, the last president of the Republic of Texas. Its founding site, later location and naming mark different chapters in the town’s development.
The Jones County Courthouse was completed in 1910. The restored Beaux-Arts-style building is located in Anson’s historic district. The Anson Opera House is also part of the town’s history: it is one of the Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks, and the first Anson High School graduation ceremony was held there in 1909. The two buildings thus offer different historical connections: the courthouse for its construction date, style and restoration, and the opera house for a specific event in the school’s history.
The First Presbyterian Church building was constructed in 1929 and features stained-glass windows. It is also one of the Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks. The Anson-Jones Museum, which presents the history of Anson, is housed in the same building. Here, an architectural detail and an account of the town’s history come together in one building.
Pioneer Hall and the Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball Tradition
Pioneer Hall in Anson City Park was built between 1938 and 1940 as a permanent home for the Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball. The building and the event are thus connected through the hall’s original purpose. The Ball’s three-day format dates back to 1940. Traditional dances at the Ball include the Grand March, Waltz, Cotton-Eye Joe, Polka, Virginia Reel and Schottische. These named dances give the Ball tradition a specific cultural connection, while Pioneer Hall adds its architectural history.
Another cultural feature can be found at the Anson Post Office: the building houses Jenne Magafan’s mural “Cowboy Dance.” Together with the Ball tradition, it is one of the points of interest that show Anson’s connection to cowboy culture.
Golf and Getting Around Town
The Anson Golf Course is a nine-hole golf course. This adds a clearly defined sporting focus to the historical and cultural themes. If you’re considering a stay in Anson, you can take this distinction into account when deciding which interests are most important for your trip.
For navigating the road network, Anson is located at the junction of U.S. Highways 83/277 and 180. This provides a specific reference point for placing the town in your travel plans.
For a broader travel overview: Jones County.
