Since 1927, Geronimo, a historic longhorn bull, has stood in a glass enclosure on the lawn of the courthouse in George West. The city is the county seat of Live Oak County; the Texas Legislature declared George West the “Storytelling Capitol of Texas.”
The three-day George West Storyfest brings together storytelling, music, arts and crafts, and dance. Dobie Dichos takes a different focus: It celebrates J. Frank Dobie’s contributions to literature, folklore, and oral storytelling tradition, and takes place each year on the first Friday in November on the grounds of the Historic Oakville Jail in Oakville. Check the current dates before your trip.
Storytelling and Historic Traces
The Oakville Jail is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built by 1887 as a freestanding, two-story stone jail in the Italianate style. Its design and style give the historic building a clearly defined architectural profile.
Oakville was also called Puenta de la Piedra (“Rock Bridge”): A natural rock bridge over the Nueces River lay two miles east of the town and was crossed there by the San Antonio–Brownsville road. The name connects the town’s history with a specific landform and the route of that road.
The historical reference points range from graves at Old Lagarto Cemetery dating back to the 1870s, to the jail built by 1887, to the historic Buck West House, built around 1914. The 2022 Texas State Travel Guide describes the Grace Armantrout Museum as featuring household items, firearms, art, and early farming equipment.
Landscape, Rivers, and Activities
Live Oak County is characterized mostly by flat to rolling terrain. Plants found there include grasses, mesquite, blackbrush, prickly pear cactus, post oaks, and small live oaks. The terrain and vegetation offer a concrete impression of the county’s landscape.
The rivers follow different courses: The Frio River is dammed in the northwestern part of Live Oak County, forming the Choke Canyon Reservoir. The Nueces River crosses the county and then flows into Lake Corpus Christi.
Boating is possible at Choke Canyon State Park. The park’s 385-acre South Shore Unit is located in Live Oak County. The Nueces River Paddling Trail begins at Live Oak County Park on Airport Road in George West.
Wildlife viewing is possible in many Texas Wildlife Management Areas. Bird groups seen in many areas include wading birds, shorebirds, waterfowl, North American migratory birds, and native South Texas species.
James E. Daughtrey WMA is a Texas Wildlife Management Area. General public use of this area is permitted only from April 1 through August 1. Check current conditions before setting out.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: George West, Polk, Denton, Montague, Colorado County, Jasper County, Kaufman, Midland.
For the main travel overview: Texas.
