My Corsicana

As spring arrives, delivering warmer weather and the excitement of the school year coming to a close, it also brings the travel bug.

When we emerge from our winter hibernation, our thoughts shift to getting away from the routine of home and traveling to faraway places to experience new things and places. Many of us use this time to plan that big summer destination trip, looking into flights and hotels, rental properties, and activities to make a memorable trip for ourselves and our families. I don’t have the patience to wait until summer to scratch the travel itch. That’s why I look for places I can sneak away to without having to do much planning. Yes, I am a lover of day trips.

Renelibrary, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Just a short drive from the D/FW area are many wonderful small towns that offer amazing things to see, places to shop, and restaurants to try, but I want to tell you about my hometown of Corsicana, Texas. Many of you have traveled through Corsicana on your way to Houston and are probably unaware of its deeply rooted historical significance and its thriving downtown. You might not be aware of some of the things Corsicana has to offer, but you have heard of its contributions. Have you ever had one of Collin Street Bakery’s world-famous fruitcakes? Perhaps you’ve had a bowl of Wolf Brand Chili? (Wait, how long has it been since you’ve had a bowl of Wolf Brand Chili? Well, that’s too long!) Have you ever seen that shiny reflective glass on the skyscrapers in downtown Fort Worth and Dallas? All those things were invented, created, and, in some cases, are still being made in Corsicana. Corsicana also has the distinct honor of being home to the first successful oil refinery west of the Mississippi River, making it a major hub in the oil refining and shipping industry in the early years of the Texas oil boom. And Corsicana is the gateway to Richland-Chambers Reservoir, which offers world-class fishing and stunning sunsets year-round.

If you happen to be a history buff, Corsicana is a great place to brush up on your Trivia Night knowledge. Located just outside of the downtown area is a fascinating (and family-friendly) exhibit called Pioneer Village. This attraction offers over a dozen original homes/businesses from the region, beginning in 1838. It is also home to the Lefty Frizzell Museum. Frizzell is a famous singer/songwriter from Corsicana who penned songs for many country artists, including Hank Williams, Sr., Patsy Kline, and Merle Haggard. There’s a statue of Lefty Frizzell in the park next door to Pioneer Village that has become a place to meet up. Locals and those in the know say, “Meet me at the Lefty.”

Pioneer Village
photo credit: Billy Hathorn

One of the things I love about Corsicana is its unique tradition of honoring its residents who made major contributions to the community. The Courthouse lawn has several large bronze statues honoring local firefighters and military veterans, and one very special statue honors Medal of Honor recipient Candelario Garcia. On Beaton Street, which is the downtown corridor, you’ll find statues honoring over a dozen Corsicana residents who made major impacts on the community they chose to call home. The statues of Beaton Street are a fun, self-guided tour that offers a glimpse into the history of this little city. As you stroll Beaton Street and the downtown area, you will find all sorts of interesting shops and cafes to pop into and find unique treasures. Emporium 1905 offers a wonderful selection of antiques, vintage clothing, and an impressive selection of vintage Christmas décor. Next door is Victorian Sample Florist, whose owner offers stunning flower arrangements and jaw-droppingly beautiful jewelry at fabulously affordable prices. There are so many wonderful things to see and do downtown that can all be accomplished in a leisurely afternoon.

Once your tour of downtown Corsicana is complete, head to the Collin Street Bakery and pick up a world-famous fruitcake or a box of cookies, all made fresh daily. If you need to satisfy your sweet tooth further, head to the Russell Stover Chocolate Factory. Yes, Russell Stover Candies are made in Corsicana.

My favorite Corsicana Must Try is a local restaurant called Old Mexican Inn, which is owned and operated by the third generation of the Flores Family. Their “orange dip” alone is worth the drive and has a near cult-like following. (There are all sorts of copycat recipes available on the internet.) Near the restaurant is Navarro College, home of the Pearce Civil War & Western Art Museum. This museum has an outstanding collection of Western art from artists such as Howard Terpning, G. Harvey, and Buck McCain. The Pearce collection of arrowheads will likely be the largest collection you’ll see in one location.

All this writing about the fun things to do in Corsicana has me chomping at the bit to get in the car and hit the road. I would encourage everyone to be spontaneous, pick a small town nearby, and head out for some exploring. Corsicana is a great place to start, and I have only scratched the surface of things to do there. For more detailed suggestions, make sure to stop by the Corsicana Visitors Center, located at 301 S. Beaton Street, to pick up free guides and maps to make your trip complete. Pro tip: This is a great time to be day-tripping to see all the beautiful flowers and watch Texas come alive in the spring.

Safe travels!

Beaton St.
photo credit: Michael Barera