Early 1900s Texas, yeah, that’s what it feels like. Except for modern homes, cars, technology …. Montague County still has a lot of the past to see …. a lot more than we actually expected, and it is everywhere. We visited the towns of Saint Jo, Illinois Bend, Spanish Fort, Nocona (YES! Where Nocona Boots used to come from!!), Ringgold, Bowie and Montague. Some of these towns had been devestated by wildfires, others were beautiful examples of early Texas Architecture. Each had its own personality and feeling. Out of respect, we did not photograph wildfire damage. Those are memories best left in the past …. The two themes in this area are The Chisolm Trail that actually came through, here, and crossed the Red River in the north end of the county and the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach that came through the county between the Stops of Gainesville and Bridgeport.
Saint Jo:
We came into Montague County via US Highway 82 from Muenster, in Cooke County. (By the way, Muenster has German-Fest coming up, in April, so we will be there, then). 1st town We stopped in was Saint Jo. The town of Saint Jo has a wonderful and spacious town square. Their town square is undergoing some much needed maintenance, but, it is not all closed up. Just like so many other Texas towns we have been to, the central areas of town are being revitalized and are being used. It was early and cold on this particular morning, but, there was life on the streets.
Being at the north end of the Chisolm Trail and knowing there were cowboys pushing cattle across the red river that would likely spend some time in town … the first permanent building built in this town in 1873 was a saloon. The Saloon is presently a museum open on Saturday and Sunday. There are also some Static interior displays in a couple buildings on the square. We went up on a Tuesday, so, it was not open for us. We’ll try to get by there, when we go to Muenster for German Fest.
On the Northbound Lane of FM677, just south of town center, there is a bridge made of stone with three arches over the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. At the time it was built, it was clearly the only bridge. A newer southbound bridge was added at a later date, clearly two cars cannot pass each other on this bridge.
One more Shot of Saint Jo. Town Square with covered water well and community Gazebo. I imagine it is quite lovely to be out there on summer nights with a couple guitar players and a singer ….
Illinois Bend:
Heading Straight North out of Saint Jo on Farm Road 677, after a while you will come to the community of Illinois Bend. It’s called a ghost town, but, clearly there are people living in the area …. We saw some folks around as well as signs of daily lives and community.
Spanish Fort:
Continuing north on FM-677 will lead you to a town called spanish fort. Rumor has it that the early settlers mistook Indian sites as Spanish sites …. deriving the name “Spanish Fort”. The only thing of note is the old Spanish Fort High School building, built in 1924.
Nocona:
Nocona is a fantastic little town in Montague County. Very nice, albeit somewhat decrepit in places, downtown area. They do have a really nice museum across the street from the old Nocona Boot factory called the “Tales and Trails Museum”. We highly recommend folks stop there and get educated on the history of Montague County as well as Nocona, Texas. The Horton Classic Car Museum is also an absolute “Must See”!! The old Nocona Boot factory is closed, but, is still there as of the day of our visit, unoccupied. Nocona was once on an MKT railroad line …. there is an old Rail Station in town, currently used as office space. Looks like an old MKT boxcar has been attached to it, not sure if the station we saw is the old MKT station, or not. There are a lot of historic markers and historic homes in town also. The Museum has put together a list. Stop into the Tales and TRails and make sure you get the list of historic sites in Nocona. Enjoy this little golden nugget of an old Texas town!
From Nocona to Ringgold we chose to use the dirt roads (Ranch Roads) that run up along the REd River. The Nothingness is not for the faint of heart. We spent an hour or so not seeing another human being, no structures, no cell phone service …. just dirt roads, cattle us, and the occasional strung up coyote.
Ringgold:
Ringgold was very …. well, upsetting. The wildfire damage is still very visible. We did run across something pretty cool …. a bridge built with depression highway funds, likely. At the intersection of US 82 and US 81 go north on US 81 and turn right on the dirt road …. the bridge is just down that dirt road a little ways …..
In retrospect, which is always the case …. I wish we had really looked closer at this bridge and maybe taken a few more shots ….
Bowie:
Bowie …. This town is on my list to explore, more. The wife and daughter were getting really tired by the time we arrived in Bowie. They were wanting to get done already. LOL!! There is definitely a building in Bowie that throws a person right into the old west …. Heard’s Hardware – Furniture & Appliances. Downtown Bowie is nice, and old. I really wish we had spent a little more time, there. They put on “Jim Bowie Days”, so, we will be back!!
Montague:
Montague, Texas is the County Seat of Montague County. The downtown area has definitely seen better days. There are a few businesses downtown, and a couple of old, old Gas Stations. The Montague County Courthouse is the centerpiece, and it is a beautiful as well as imposing relic. Architecturally it is mainly a Greek Revival structure. There is a set of windmills as you enter town from the south. We aren’t sure what they are there for, a collection?, a display?, just a novelty we didn’t ecpect to see. Made the trip to Montague even better.
More Information:
Everywhere you look in Montague County, there are vestiges of the Old west. This Texas county deserves some attention from sightseeing folks. There is so much to see!! From anywhere in DFW Metroplex, this is but a day trip. Get out there and Explore!
Stonewall Saloon Museum in St. Jo
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