When we moved to Austin almost 4 (gasp!) years ago, my husband said we’d spend our weekend taking day trips around Central Texas. Little did he know his job would be so all-consuming and travel heavy as to make that nearly impossible! But just before Christmas, when the frenzy of holiday parties had ended and we hadn’t yet left to visit family, we had a rare, free Saturday and beautiful weather, so we decided it was time to head out on one of those day trips.
We had been talking of visiting Taylor, Texas, for a while. Our biggest interest there was the Dan Moody Museum. (More about that in a bit!) But Taylor is also know for its barbecue, as are so many small Texas towns. And like so many Texans, we do love our barbecue. In fact, sampling and comparing barbecue—and forming an opinion on who does it best—is almost a professional sport in Texas!
So armed with our hunger and our love of history, we drove about 45 minutes to get to Taylor, timing our arrival with the opening of lunch at Louis Muellers, considered by many as one of the best barbecue places in Texas. (We wanted to be there by 11 because when they sell out, they close.) Being the last weekend before Christmas, the crowds were sparse. But we were not disappointed, because the brisket was some of the best we’ve ever eaten. And the sausage! Oh my! We would go there again. Although later a local told us she likes the other barbecue place in town better. So in the name of research we will definitely be required to return.
Taylor was founded in 1876 with the coming of the International-Great Northern Railroad. As such, it boasts several lovely Victorian homes that are at or nearing 100 years old as well as a main street lined with late 19th century and early 20th century buildings. The main street bumps up to the rail yard since the railroad brought the settlement. Today’s Taylor is doing a good job revitalizing the old storefronts into cute boutiques, antique shops and restaurants. Still a ways to go, but enough to keep us busy after our early lunch and before the museum opened.
I love visiting small town museums. They guard some of the best history. The Moody Museum is no exception. For those of you not from Texas (and even some of you who are!), Dan Moody was our youngest Attorney General, elected at age 31, and our youngest Governor, elected at the age of 33! He grew up in Taylor, Texas, in the house that is now his museum, donated by his sister who never married and lived in the house her entire life.
Over the course of his career, Dan Moody was known for prosecuting the Klan in Central Texas, calling out the corruption of Ma and Pa Ferguson in the governor’s office, and seeking to restore integrity to state’s finances. He quit public service after one term as governor because he was broke and needed to take care of his family. But while he moved into a private law practice, he continued to give of himself for the public good on the state and national levels in various non-elected capacities. In other words, Dan Moody was truly one of the good guys. The kind not often seen in public life, past or present.
When we headed back to Austin that afternoon, we felt full. Full of barbecue. Full of history. Full of the joy that comes from being together on a beautiful December day. Hopefully there will be more of those kinds of day trips for us in 2020.
What is the most memorable “day trip” you have taken?
Latest posts by D'Ann Mateer (see all)
- Graduation Throwback - May 21, 2025
- The Cheer Squad - May 7, 2025
- Guest Post: Crystal Caudill - April 16, 2025
I love those little trips, too, Anne. Will there be a novel from this excursion?
That is always a possibility, but we’ll see! 🙂
What a fun trip, Anne! I love discovering little treasure troves like those small town museums and local eateries. I had fun making a day trip to Gainesville, TX recently for a book signing and reader event at their local Harvey House museum and depot, but the year before when I traveled there to do my research for the story, the trip was even better. Mainly because I didn’t know what I would discover.
Seeing the Santa Fe Depot for the first time with the marks in the floor from the Harvey House lunch counter was thrilling. The museum offered a plethora of wonderful information, and there were dozens of turn-of-the-century homes still in lovely shape about town. Touring and learning and walking back in time – it quickly became one of my favorite day trips!
I love that! I lived closer to Gainesville for so many years and never got up there. I guess I need to go sometime. 🙂
My deceased husband and I like history. We were living in the Corpus Christi area, and on Palm Sunday weekend on a Saturday years ago, we went to the re-enactment of the Battle of Goliad in Goliad, Texas. (It was approximately a 45-minute trip.) It was incredible; we returned many years thereafter. So much to learn, and it was fascinating talking to the “actors” who are so knowledgeable in their subject. (Just a caution, don’t bring your pets; it’s very loud and noisy!)
I believe it was called Goliad Massacre vs the Battle of Goliad. All part of Texas history.
What a cool experience! I’ll have to see if they still do that and put it on my wish list!
Years ago when our kids were younger, my husband and I took them on a train to Chicago to visit the many museums and aquarium there. It was fun walking along Lake Michigan and being together.
Oh! I’ve always wanted to take a trip on the train! How fun! And so much to do in Chicago!
Nice to read you enjoyed your day trip to Taylor. We live in Georgetown and enjoy our lovely, although growing by leaps and bounds, town and our downtown square. If you haven’t visited yet, I hope you’ll find time to come. We have a lot of events going on during many weekends at the historic “Square” downtown, as well as a Farmer’s Market at Wolf Ranch at the intersection of I-35 and 29 (also called University Avenue). Georgetown is also home to the first University in Texas, located on the east side of town on Hwy. 29 and many old & beautiful historic homes are also in that vicinity. Hope you & your husband are able to visit Georgetown sometime.
We look forward to it! I’ve only been there once–to look at a wedding venue with my son and now daughter-in-law and knew I wanted to return to such a cute place! Hopefully it will be soon!