Following El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail

SEE ALSO: EL CAMINO REAL | NACOGDOCHES | NATCHITOCHES

Located on the Texas-Louisiana border on either side of Toledo Bend Reservoir, Sabine County and Sabine Parish have been connected since 1796 by a ferry that previously transported horses, wagons, and pioneering families across the river. Today, a three-mile bridge across what is now the largest man-made body of water in the South provides two-way access to the adjacent communities along with neighboring San Augustine County which are rife with historical landmarks, travel routes, centennial monuments, restored homes, newsworthy artifacts, and more.

See additional information below or visit:
San Augustine County Chamber of Commerce

Sabine County Chamber of Commerce

Sabine Parish Tourist Commission

Mission Nuestra Senora de los Dolores de los Ais

701 S. Broadway St. | San Augustine, TX 75972 | 936-275-3815

Interpretive displays convey the story of Spanish relations with Native Americans and French settlers as related to the Spanish mission built in 1721 as a way station on the El Camino Real de los Tejas.

Driving Tour of Homes and Buildings

San Augustine, TX 75972

History comes alive as travelers tour the historic homes of pioneers, patriots, and a US Ambassador as well as the old San Augustine Jail and Restored Courthouse featuring a replica of the law office of the first governor of Texas.

Lobanillo Swales

Check with city tourism agencies to locate widely-rutted sets of trail remnants where incised landscapes and soil compaction mark the actual routes that make up the "superhighway" of previous human activity along El Camino Real.

Patricia Huffman Smith NASA Remembering Columbia Museum

375 Sabine St. #B | Hemphill, TX 75948 | 409-787-4827

Remembering all seven astronauts of the space shuttle disaster and Sabine County's role in recovery efforts, the museum features exhibits including personal items of the astronauts as well as a digital learning center and a short video documentary entitled Of Good Courage.

Gaines-Oliphint House

Pendleton Harbor | Hemphill, TX

Built about 1818 and recognized by the Texas Historical Commission as the oldest standing log structure in Texas, the Gaines-Oliphint House may be the oldest Pre-Republic, Anglo-American structure that exists in Texas today.

Causey House

Sabine National Forest | TX-21, Milam, TX 75959

Rescued and renovated by local volunteers and believed to be the second oldest house in Texas, the Causey House is a restored log home built around 1830 which reveals the hand-hewn quality and craftsmanship characteristic of the period.

Adai Caddo Indian Nation Cultural Center

4460 Hwy. 485 | Robeline, LA | 318-472- 1007

Raising awareness and appreciation for the culture, tradition, and heritage of the Adai Caddo Indian Nation, the cultural center celebrates the history, daily life, arts, and achievements of American Indians with exhibits, storytelling, dancing, music, and more.

Los Adaes State Historic Site

6354 Hwy. 485 | Robeline, LA 71469 | 888-677-7853

Once the capital of Texas and a place of unique cooperation among the French, Spanish, and indigenous Caddo Indians, this location outlines where the presidio once stood and is now the site of extensive excavation and resulting archaeological discoveries.

Toledo Bend Reservoir

Texas/Louisiana border near Many, LA

Recently deemed the #1 bass fishing lake in the country, Toledo Bend Lake is the largest man-made body of water in Texas and features premier fishing, two championship golf courses, 25 lakeside resorts, and facilities for swimming, boating, picnicking, camping, and more.

Imogene's Cafe & Home Baked Goods

129 E Columbia St. | San Augustine, TX 75972 | 936-275-2004

Diners will have trouble deciding between the variety of delectable desserts like chocolate, coconut, or buttermilk pies to top off juicy made-to-order hamburgers, crispy catfish, and chicken fried steak.

Mary Kay's Country Diner

806 US-96 | San Augustine, TX 75972| 936-275-0121

Serving down-home southern cooking at its best, Mary Kay's friendly staff and mouthwatering specialties will make guests feel right at home.

Cypress Bend Golf Resort, Spa, & Conference Center

2000 Cypress Bend Pkwy. | Many, LA 71449 | 318-590-1500

Located on 400 acres of rolling hills at Toledo Bend Lake, Cypress Bend offers guest rooms and suites, fine and casual dining, full-service spa and salon, fitness center, indoor/outdoor pool, and an 18-hole championship golf course which is part of Louisiana's Audubon Golf Trail.

Zwolle Tamale Fiesta

Second Weekend of October

Toledo Bend's three-day event features tamale demonstrations and contests, a street dance, pageants, a parade, and the popular Fiesta Mud Bog Race for trucks.

Sassafras Festival

Last Weekend of October

This family-friendly festival in San Augustine features an arts and crafts show, classic car show, pet show, BBQ cook off, and more.

SEE ALSO: EL CAMINO REAL | NACOGDOCHES | NATCHITOCHES