Navasota, Texas, town in Grimes County: travel, historic landmarks, attractions, photos, scenic drive, people. (original) (raw)
Navasota is one of those towns that you never seem to have time to explore because you're rushing to a more distant destination. We wish you'd stop doing that. The problem with distant locations is that they're so far away. Why not visit something a little closer to home? If Navasota is too close, then include it with a trip to Huntsville, Brenham, or College Station.
Don't miss the Grimes County seat in Anderson, which is a mere 10 miles away. Their picturesque courthouse and main street is one of those timeless Texas views that haven't yet been ruined by prison expansion or modern high school architecture. Recently restored.
Navasota, Texas Attractions / Landmarks
Photo Gallery
Navasota offers many storefronts and streets that testify to its dominant place in the county's economic history.
- Historic homes are frequently open for tours and architecturally, it ranks high on our list of best preserved in the Houston-Austin-Dallas triangle. Contact the chamber for an excellent driving tour of town.
- Horlock Art Gallery & History Museum
1215 E. Washington Ave. - La Salle Monument
Texas Hwy 105 downtown. Navasota also has a statue dedicated to "Bobby" LaSalle, our favorite would-be colonizer and the man most responsible for Texas' claim to being under Six Flags. Interest in Mr. La Salle has been rekindled lately with excavations of both his stockade (Fort St. Louis) and ship (LaBelle) down around Matagorda.
[See La Salle and French Exploration in Early Texas by Jeffery Robenalt - The Grimes County Courthouse
10 miles East in Anderson on Hwy 90. This 1893 Italianate "Temple of Justice" once dispensed justice to a member of the Barrow-Parker gang in 1933. The street view with flanking stores makes a great photo opportunity, which makes up for there not being a "courthouse square." Anderson was named Fanthorp before Kenneth Lewis Anderson, Vice President of the Republic of Texas died there. - Fanthorp Inn State Historical Park
Republic of Texas era stagecoach stop with replica coach on display. In Anderson, the former town of Fanthorp. Hours: Wednesday through Sunday 9 to 4. 936-873-2633 - Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park
Six miles west of Navasota off hwy 105. Home of the recently redone Star of the Republic Museum with its open all year (except Christmas day) research library. - Painted Church in Plantersville, Texas
St. Mary's Catholic Church
12 1/2 miles E. on Hwy 105 - Oakland Cemetery
Historic Cemetery on 801 Sixth St.
936-825-6475
Bank Building
107 W. Washington St.
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
TE Photo, 2004
111 Railroad Street
TE Photo, 2004
Cast Iron Corinthian Columns
TE Photo, 2004
Cast Iron by Pullis Bros St. Louis
TE Photo, 2004
Cast Iron by Pullis Bros St. Louis
TE Photo, 2004
The Giesel House
113 Railroad St.
TE Photo, 2004
The Giesel House Historical Marker
TE Photo, 2004
Cast Iron by Front Builders Mesker Bros. St. Louis
TE Photo, 2004
More Cast Iron
TE Photo, 2004
Masonic Lights
TE Photo, 2004
L - Millers Theater in Navasota TE photo
R - Navasota street scene TE photo
Wood store window display
TE Photo, 2004
Weather Vanes in store window
TE Photo, 2004
Carnival Rides
TE Photo, 2004
The 1902 Sangster House
1113 E. Washington Ave
Recorded Texas Historic Landmark
Wikipedia Commons
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Navasota architecture TE photo |
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Navasota, Texas Vintage Photos
Submarine in Navasota
Photo courtesy Navasota City Manager
Young people in the 1930s
Photo courtesy Navasota City Manager
Navasota City Hall, circa 1930s, later demolished
Photo courtesy Navasota City Manager
Navasota City Hall, razed 1958
Photo courtesy Navasota Examiner
Former Navasota Jail, razed, no date
Photo courtesy Navasota City Manager
A Scenic Drive
FM 1375 as a day trip / scenic drive from Houston.
For a tranquil drive that you'll long remember, we'd suggest FM 1375 west from New Waverly on Hwy 45. This takes you through the Sam Houston National Forest with its lush fern undergrowth.
FM 1375 will join Hwy 149 that will lead you to Anderson via the quaint, nearly forgotten village of Richards. Then Hwy 90 South less than 10 miles to Navasota.
More Texas Scenic Drives
Navasota Tourist Information
Grimes County Chamber of Commerce
1215 East Washington
936-825-6600 or 800-252-6642 Book Hotel Here › Navasota Hotels
Mance Lipscomb by Clay Coppedge
Songster and guitarist Mance Lipscomb spent most of his 80 years as a tenant farmer around Navasota, in Grimes County before becoming an overnight sensation when he was 65... more
Joe Tex by Clay Coppedge
"A singer that critic John Morthland of Texas Monthly called 'by far Texas' greatest contributor to soul music.' ...
Joe Tex belongs, in the mind of most Texans, to either Baytown, where his music career began, or Navasota, where it ended." more
La Salle and French Exploration in Early Texas by Jeffery Robenalt
The explorer was assassinated somewhere in western Grimes County about twelve miles west of Navasota.
Texas Escapes, in its purpose to preserve historic, endangered and vanishing Texas, asks that anyone wishing to share their local history, stories, landmarks and recent or vintage photos, please contact us.