The Butterfield Overland Mail Line ran through Montague County in 1858; in the 1870s, two feeder branches of the Chisholm Trail also crossed the county. Highway 82 partly follows the route mapped by Marcy. These paths reflect different eras and routes—a good starting point for exploring Montague’s history without reducing it to a single trail story.
Historic Sites and Trails
Montague County Courthouse was built in 1913 to a design by architect George Burnett. It is one of the stops on a historic driving tour offered by the Montague County Historical Commission through the Otocast app. The tour also includes the Old Jail, Forestburg First Settlement, Saint Jo Chisholm Trail Square, The Battle of Spanish Fort, and Red River Station and the Chisholm Trail. As the digital tour’s availability may change, check in advance whether it is currently accessible.
The stops tell different chapters of trail history. Red River Station was an important crossing on the Chisholm Cattle Trail and the last place along the trail where travelers could buy supplies before reaching Abilene, Kansas. In Saint Jo, the Stonewall Saloon was built in 1873 as the town’s first permanent building to accommodate cattle drivers on the Chisholm Trail. Today, it serves as a museum about Montague County history. Comparing the two brings two distinct functions into focus: supplies along the trail and lodging for cattle drivers.
Spanish Fort’s history has several connections, too. The town is located on the site of an old Taovayas village. The Spanish Fort Sites refer to a series of archaeological sites extending for several miles along both banks of the Red River—in Montague County, Texas, and Jefferson County, Oklahoma. They are identified as a group of Indigenous villages associated with the Wichita. The Tales 'N' Trails Museum is an official Texas Visitor Information Center; check its opening arrangements before your visit. Public tours of the Old Jail are currently available by appointment only.
Water and Outdoor Trails
Nocona Reservoir is a 1,362-acre recreational reservoir on Farmers Creek in Montague County. Three public boat ramps, with parking and boarding docks, offer different access points. As the access information is based on a 2023 survey, check for any temporary changes before heading out by boat.
Nocona’s parks also offer different ways to spend time outdoors. Enid Justin City Park has a very large playground as well as a walking and jogging trail. Blue Mound Park has a walking and fitness trail with several benches and rest stops. Its pavilion sits on a hill overlooking Nocona. The parks differ in both their trails and their layouts: one pairs a large playground with a walking trail, while the other’s walking route is complemented by rest stops and a view.
Markets and Festivals in Bowie
Bowie combines recurring events with a variety of offerings. Second Monday Trade Days takes place on the second Monday of every month. Offerings include arts and crafts, antiques, specialty items, food and drinks; participating vendors may vary from one event to the next. Bowie's World's Largest Bowie Knife is a photo stop for visitors. The Guinness World Record was recognized in 2016; if the record status matters for your visit, check it again.
Chicken and Bread Days Heritage Festival is held regularly on the first Saturday in October. The festival includes a Heritage Market with arts and crafts and food vendors, including chicken and bread. A fiddler’s contest recognized by the Texas Old Time Fiddlers’ Association is also part of the recurring program. The market and contest offer a different focus from the monthly Trade Days: here, seasonal festivities and music accompany the market stalls. The specific selection of vendors may vary between events.
Discover more destinations: Bowie, Angelina County, Potter, Waller, Floyd County, Kaufman, Oldham, Bexar County.
For the broader travel overview: Texas.
