 Hoerster House as it appears today. Photo courtesy of owner.
Step into the past and experience history come to life with our exclusive sneak preview of Historic Overnights for subscribers to the Heritage Traveler newsletter. Launched in 2023, this unique community partnership brings together local historians and property owners to research the stories and people that bring these historic buildings to life. Overnight guests can now discover behind-the-scenes secrets and long-lost histories of these hidden-gem stays across Texas.
One of our featured properties, Hoerster House, delves into the tumultuous origins of Mason County. At the time it was the wild frontier inside Comanche territory, and an infamous feud between cattle ranchers cast a long shadow over Mason in the latter part of the 19th century.
The Hoerster House's origin story began in 1906. Just as the sandstone structures were indicative of a young frontier community making the board and batten, Hoerster House symbolizes Mason’s shift from country ruggedness to the quaint elegance of the Victorian era. Mason was finally growing up, but the Hoersters knew better than anyone that the journey there had been hard-fought and bloody...
 Mesquite Pro Rodeo. Credit: Mesquite CVB
Rodeo roots can be traced all the way back to when the Spanish conquistadors and settlers brought horses and cattle to the Southwest. Mexican vaqueros and Anglo cowboys were needed for their horsemanship and stock-tending skills as ranching became popular throughout Texas. Since then, folks have been in awe of the talents of the Texas cowboy, from roping and riding to barrel racing and steer wrestling.
While big city rodeos like the Houston and Fort Worth Livestock Show and Rodeo have passed, a genuine cowboy experience lies in these small Texas towns that happen all year long. The annual summer event in Pecos, West of the Pecos Rodeo, is Texas’ longest continuously running rodeo dating back to 1883. Or saddle up and head over to Weatherford for the Parker County Frontier Days held in June.
From the heart-pounding excitement of the arena to the lively community spirit, celebrate the traditions, skills, and heritage of cowboy culture with our favorite sites and attractions.
 Road outside of Mason. Date unknown. Courtesy of Portal to Texas History.
Spring is in full swing and it’s practically a Texan rite of passage to make at least one journey out to the country to see the wildflowers in all their untamed glory. If pulling over on a highway median isn’t your ideal locale for a photo op, we recommend historic cemeteries for the best wildflower spotting! Many of these historic sites rely on wildflower cultivation to cut down on the prohibitive costs of lawn maintenance, and the results are a burst of color in an otherwise dreary space.
On the way, we recommend keeping your eyes peeled for another roadside attraction—historic ranch gates. A unique sight for visitors to the state and city dwellers alike, ranch gates and the iconography and names that adorn them are more than just stamps on the land. Once an indication of friendly faces ahead in an otherwise hostile land, ranch gates are a glimpse into Texas’ turbulent past. Curious? We dug up this handy primer on the origin of ranch gates from the Texas Monthly archives. Happy trails!
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