Taylor

Brazos Trail Region
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BULLDOGGING AND BARBECUE

The smoky aroma of barbecue drifts through downtown Taylor, where second-generation masters turn out nationally recognized brisket, ribs and sausage each day. In August, individuals and teams compete at the International Barbeque Cook-Off. Other annual events include the May Zest Fest, July Rodeo (hometown cowboy Bill Pickett invented “bulldogging”), and December Parade of Lights.

Taylor was founded in 1876 as the I&GN Railroad was laying tracks to town. By 1882, the MKT line also chugged through Taylor, and the community became a shipping point for cattle, grain and cotton. A fire in 1879 destroyed 29 wood-frame buildings which was most of downtown. But Taylor rebuilt its commercial district, this time with bricks and masonry. Those structures provide plenty of allure for this Texas Main Street City where the heritage minded tourists not only come for the barbeque but also the local art and antique shopping. A few steps from the commercial district, the Moody Museum, a beautiful restored 1887 home that was the birthplace of the youngest governor of Texas offers a look at Dan Moody’s life. Discover the details of how Moody took office in 1927 at age 33 and earlier, as district attorney, famously and successfully prosecuted Ku Klux Klansmen.

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