Runnels: History, Parks and Waterways

Runnels brings together notable sites from the county’s history, along with parks and waterways that offer visitors different things to explore. In Ballinger, points of interest range from the Carnegie Library and Courthouse Square to Pioneer Plaza and The Cross. In Winters, the Rock Hotel and Old Cotton Oil Mill tell the story of earlier phases of the town’s development. If you’re looking for hotels in Runnels, first consider whether historic sites, town squares or time by the water are the focus of your trip. This will help you organize your destinations around your interests.

Historic Sites in Ballinger

The Runnels County Courthouse Square in Ballinger is one of the largest courthouse squares in Texas. The county’s original courthouse was completed in October 1889. In the town center, Pioneer Plaza lies opposite Town Square and the Runnels County Courthouse. A restored replica of the 1907 Star Tobacco Sign there commemorates local history. Benches, picnic tables, trees, a pavilion and an illuminated fountain are also part of the plaza.

The Carnegie Library was completed in 1911 and listed as a Texas Landmark in 1962. It offers the public computers and Wi-Fi access. The Cross is also a notable memorial site: the monument was erected on October 6 and 7, 1993, and stands a few miles south of Ballinger just off US Highway 83. Next to the monument is a grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Charles H. Noyes Monument adds an artistic tribute to these historic sites. It was erected in 1919 as a tribute to Charles H. Noyes and all Texas cowboys; the statue was created by Pompeo Coppini. Together with the library, plaza and monument, it shows how different forms of commemoration stand side by side in Ballinger.

Winters and the County’s History

The Rock Hotel in Winters was completed in 1909 and originally built to accommodate early travelers and railroad workers. It was listed as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1982 and also recalls Winters’ early growth and development. The Old Cotton Oil Mill was Winters’ first local industrial facility. It processed cottonseed into press cake, meal, hulls and oil. Together, the two sites tell different sides of the town’s history: the hotel recalls earlier traveler accommodations, while the mill represents local processing.

The site of the town of Runnels is also part of the county’s history: it was the first county seat of Runnels County. The Texas Forts Trail offers a broader historical context. It runs through Runnels County and leads to eight well-known frontier forts and an old Spanish presidio in west-central Texas.

Parks and Waterways

Ballinger City Park is a 20-acre park on the banks of Elm Creek. It has a municipal swimming pool with diving boards and a slide; operations may vary by season. If you plan to use the swimming area, check its seasonal schedule before your visit. Other waterways are located in different parts of the county: Elm Creek Reservoir is on Elm Creek, six miles east of Winters. Ballinger Lake is about four miles west of Ballinger, near the intersection of FM 2111 and County Road 289.

O.H. Ivie Lake is located on the Colorado and Concho Rivers and within Runnels, Concho and Coleman counties. Free maps of the recreation areas are available from the relevant authority, as well as from marinas and businesses with access permits. These maps make a practical starting point if you’d first like an overview of the lake’s recreation areas.

Plan Your Visit and Hotel Location

The Runnels County Courthouse Square hosts the Ethnic Festival every April. Check the dates for the year of your trip before you travel. When choosing a hotel location, it helps to consider the different connections to each place: several of the historic sites described here are in Ballinger, while the Rock Hotel and Old Cotton Oil Mill are distinctive points of interest in Winters’ history. The waterways are spread across different parts of the county. Consider whether Ballinger’s squares, Winters’ history or the waterways will be the main focus of your stay.

Discover more destinations: Falls County, Hardin County, Gaines County, Dimmit, Anderson, Crane County, Castro County.

Back to the main travel overview: Texas.