Take a Journey to Chappell Hill

This quaint hamlet is one of the best-preserved historical villages in the entire state of Texas.

by

What do fainting goats, a kazoo band, and sawdust pie have in common? You’ll find them all in Chappell Hill, a quaint and quirky village that’s one of the best historically preserved towns in the state. Situated just off Highway 290 between Austin and Houston, Chappell Hill is surrounded by rolling meadows and horse pastures on the bucolic Blackland Prairie. Bluebonnets bedeck the roadsides each spring thanks to the area’s fertile soils, which inspired Stephen F. Austin to settle his original colony here in 1821. Early arrivals planted cotton, corn, and sugarcane in the rich farmland of the Brazos River Valley. Chappell Hill was established in 1847, and today the hamlet evokes an authentic Old West-meets-Old South atmosphere with its restored homes and storefronts.

You can sign up for a tour of the Main Street Historic District during the annual Scarecrow Festival, held on Oct. 12-13 this year. Hundreds of scarecrows adorn the town in elaborate displays, creating an idyllic autumnal setting for the pumpkin decorating, artisan booths, and musical performances. Kids can dally in the petting zoo and ride the barrel train. Chappell Hill also has a popular Bluebonnet Festival every April and goes big (in a small-town way) for the Fourth of July, hosting an old-fashioned parade featuring decorated tractors and the “World Famous” Marching Kazoo Band.

It’s also a great place to celebrate Texas Independence: The Republic of Texas was born on March 2, 1836, right around the corner at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. Wander under pecan trees in the park-like setting and step inside a replica of Independence Hall where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed. The Star of the Republic Museum showcases artifacts from the Republic era; it’s closed for renovations until 2025. But you can still tour Barrington Plantation, a living history farm set in 1850 with livestock and costumed staff. See how early Texans tended animals and cultivated crops, and try your hand at activities like driving oxen, dying cloth, and churning butter.

The region’s agricultural bounty is on display at Chappell Hill Lavender Farm, where you can cut your own bundles of the fragrant purple blooms. Lavender season runs from May to September, with a pause in July, and in certain months, you can pick peaches, blackberries, and figs. Year-round you can pet the adorable fainting goats, a breed that falls over when it gets excited. Stop by the boutique for lavender-infused everything, from spiced jelly to votive candles to pet shampoo.

Whether you come for the flowers, the festivals, or the farms, Chappell Hill’s many charms offer a glimpse into the early days of the Texas story.

Explore Chappell Hill

Savor: Located in a folk Victorian cottage, lunchtime hotspot Bever’s offers homemade pies in almost three dozen flavors, from lemon blackberry to cream cheese brownie to sawdust (made with coconut, pecans, and graham cracker crumbs). Head to Chappell Hill Bakery & Deli for country-style comfort food and post oak-smoked barbecue and grab a few fresh-baked kolaches for the road. At Grapevine on Main, you can nibble on a top-notch charcuterie board or a fancy artisan pizza; the relaxing bistro/wine bar has a pleasant, dog-friendly deck with live music on the weekends. Dine in or buy a few links to take home at Chappell Hill Sausage Company, a family-owned operation with smoked sausage galore along with honey-glazed ham and thick slab bacon.

Shop: With a blue and white exterior, the Bluebonnet House is a delightful garden store and gift shop near the town center with offbeat plants and funky yard art. It’s also fun to wander the aisles of vintage kitchenware and country crafts at the Brazos Star, which is housed in a 19th-century dance hall and saloon. Look for the ancient bullet lodged in the wall, a testament to the building’s rowdy past. Cotton Pickin’s boutique specializes in women’s apparel and accessories (especially linen clothing), and you can admire handmade belts and holsters at Chupacabra Leather Goods.

Enjoy: Pop inside the Chappell Hill Historical Society Museum, set in a red-brick school building from 1927, to peruse exhibits including a century-old schoolroom setup. The friendly staff can point you toward other notable buildings nearby, like the oldest continuously operating bank in America and the 1850 Greek Revival Stagecoach Inn (now closed and for sale). To travel even further back in time, head out into the countryside to Newman’s Castle, a medieval-style fortress (and one man’s labor of love) complete with a moat, drawbridge, and working trebuchet. Guided tours are available six days a week by reservation only. On a pleasant afternoon, the patio at Texas Star Winery is picture-perfect. Linger on the patio and sip a Cab Sav or try one of the fruitier blends with prickly pear or hibiscus.

Snooze: Quarter horses, longhorns, and buffalo roam the 1,800-acre Texas Ranch Life, a working ranch about 15 minutes south of town. Seven historic Texas homes (with original German stenciling) dating back to the 1850s have been moved to the ranch and lovingly restored. Go fishing in multiple ponds, try skeet shooting, or saddle up for a trail drive. Closer to town, the Cottage at Chappell Hill is a pondside bungalow with pressed tin ceilings, wooden doorknobs, and front porch rocking chairs. Prefer something modern? Mustang Creek Hideaway sports floor-to-ceiling windows and angular lines, plus a pickleball court and hot tub. At Walking Star Farm, you can go big — the four-bedroom home features a pool, Peloton, and screened-in porch.

How to Get There: Drive south on I-35 to Waco and take Exit 337, turning left onto US-77 BUS S. In 1 mile, continue onto TX-484 Loop, then in 2.7 miles continue onto Highway 6 S. Stay on Highway 6 for 103 miles until you reach the outer edge of Navasota, then hop on TX-6 BUS S into town. In about 2 miles, turn right onto TX 105-E. In 13 miles, turn left on Flewellen Road and drive for 2 miles, then turn left onto FM 2193 for 0.3 miles. Turn right onto FM 1155 S, and Chappell Hill is 7 miles straight ahead. The 218-mile trip takes about 3 1/2 hours with no stops.