Elgin: History, Art and Culture

Discover Elgin through several themes: the city's history, self-guided cultural experiences, park trails and local food. The Elgin Depot Museum and historic districts offer insights into different periods of local history. Art tours and the Black History tour provide additional focal points, while trails in two parks vary in length and destination.

Depots and Historic Districts

The Elgin Depot Museum is housed in the historic Union Depot, which dates to around 1903. Its rotating and permanent exhibits focus on Elgin's history. The museum is open Fridays and Saturdays from 12 to 4 p.m.; check opening hours before your visit.

Another point of reference in time is the H & TC Freight Depot: built in 1872, it is considered the oldest building in Elgin. The two depot buildings therefore represent different periods of construction. Downtown also offers a historical point of reference: Elgin's Historic District was designated for the downtown business district in 1991. The Elgin Downtown Historic District covers 14 city blocks and includes commercial and industrial buildings. The Elgin Commercial Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Self-Guided Cultural Experiences

The self-guided Black History tour focuses on schools, churches and businesses that are significant to the city's Black history. It offers a thematic way to explore the city's history that goes beyond buildings and district boundaries. The historic downtown district also features public art and ghost signs, and a self-guided art tour is available.

The Pearls Before Swine Art Show is also part of Elgin's art scene: it is a juried art competition organized by the Elgin Arts Association. While the two self-guided tours explore specific places and themes in the city's history, the art show centers on the competition. No event date is provided here.

Different Trails in Two Parks

Morris Memorial Park has a catch-and-release fishing pond and a 0.25-mile loop trail. At Shenandoah Soccer Park & Green Belt, a one-mile walking trail leads to the ACC Campus. The trail descriptions therefore differ in both length and form: Morris has a loop trail, while the Shenandoah trail leads to the ACC Campus. Park amenities can change, so check current park information if you are specifically planning to visit the pond or use a trail.

Market, Sausage Tradition and BBQ

The Elgin Farmers’ Market is held year-round every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Veterans’ Memorial Park in downtown Elgin. Check the date and opening hours before you travel. The local sausage-making history is also part of the city's identity: hot sausage has been made in Elgin since 1882. Elgin is also a stop on the Texas BBQ Trail.

Tours at Southside Market & BBQ are available by appointment. Arrange a time in advance. This makes it easy to distinguish between the different types of visits when planning: the market has set weekly hours, while a tour at Southside Market & BBQ must be arranged in advance. Together with the museum, tours and historic districts, these offer several ways to explore Elgin based on your interests in culture, history or food.

Discover more destinations: Bastrop, Smithville.

Go to the main travel overview: Bastrop.