The Karnes County Courthouse was built in 1894 in the Romanesque Revival style. Its restoration also includes historic landscaping. In Karnes, buildings like these offer a glimpse into local history, while trails and natural areas provide a different perspective.
Architecture and Polish Heritage in Panna Maria
The Panna Maria Historic District covers 3,500 acres and includes 25 historic buildings. Panna Maria is the oldest continuously inhabited Polish settlement in the United States. Its history comes to life in a variety of places: St. Joseph School was built in 1868 as the first Polish school in America and now serves as a museum. The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church was completed in 1877 and expanded in 1937.
Even smaller architectural details tell stories of heritage and everyday life. The Gawlik House has a steeply pitched roof, typical of farmhouses in Upper Silesia; its rear roof slope extends almost to the ground. Panna Maria’s first stone-built residence is another part of the local architectural heritage. John Twohig’s Store, also known as Snoga Store, was originally used to store the corn harvest that settlers used to buy the land.
The Historic Oak Tree marks the site of the settlers’ first Thanksgiving Mass on December 24, 1854. The history of the village can also be distinguished from that of its churches: the village around the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church grew from a small settlement called St. Joe and was officially founded in 1873.
Guided Tours and a Walking Tour of the Town
The Panna Maria Visitor Center offers guided tours of Immaculate Conception Church and the St. Joseph School Museum. Arrange a tour before your trip. If you’d rather explore Panna Maria on foot, you can also take a walking tour of the historic town. A guided visit to individual sites and a walking tour of the town offer two distinct ways to explore.
An event in Panna Maria features tamales as well as homemade baked goods and preserves. The food on offer may vary.
History and Nature Around Kenedy
In Kenedy, the “Grist for the Mill” mural in the post office is a 1939 work by Charles Campbell. It depicts the picking, weighing and ginning of cotton. Another chapter in the town’s history began in 1915: the discovery of hot mineral water led to the opening of the Hot Wells Hotel and Bath House. At the time, visitors came from many regions to experience the water’s benefits.
Kenedy Junction is also connected to a historic railway line: the town was founded in 1886 along the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railway route. This history sits alongside the cultural discoveries in Panna Maria and experiences in the landscape, without implying that trains operate there today.
Escondido Creek is a small, intermittent waterway that runs through Kenedy in Karnes County. Escondido Creek Parkway offers recreational opportunities in a natural setting. Its multi-use trail is more than a mile long and is intended for hiking and biking. Since the trail route may change, check current route information before your visit. The parkway also provides habitat for the endangered Texas horned lizard, making this natural area of interest to visitors who want to learn about native species.
A Museum with Stories from the Region
The Karnes County Museum complex preserves the history of Helena. The stories it shares also include gunfights, saloons and brothels from the cowboy era. The museum is located at 8167 North FM 81 in Karnes City. Check the opening hours before you set out so you can plan your visit accordingly.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Kenedy, Karnes City, Callahan County, Winkler County, Falls County, Clay, Floyd County, San Patricio County.
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