The video above takes you on a walk through the tiny Main Street area of Coupland, TX — a town of only a few hundred people spread across less than two square miles. Located about 25 miles northeast of Austin along State Highway 95, Coupland sits between Pflugerville to the west, Taylor to the north, and Manor to the south. Despite its size, this little community has a real identity, and the video captures what makes it worth a visit, from its restored railroad depot to the sculptures you can walk around outdoors to the live music and dancing that pack the local dance hall on weekend nights.
History of Coupland, TX
Coupland is named after a Civil War major and former sheriff who inherited the land. The original settlement traces back to the late 1800s when the railroad came through, drawing Swedish, German, and Swiss immigrants who took to the sloping hills and turned them into farmland. For 25 years the town was unincorporated — it only officially became a city in 2012. Today, farming and construction drive the local economy, and a small stretch of Main Street holds the essentials: a bank, a community center, and a church. The restored Depot Museum, right alongside a small park, is a popular stop for visitors curious about the railroad history. The Huntington Sculpture Foundation, a nonprofit operating since 2000, features outdoor sculptures by Jim Huntington that you can walk around and check out for free.
What Is There to Do in Coupland, TX?
The main draw for people coming from Austin, Taylor, and the surrounding areas is live music and dancing at Coupland Dancehall. Here are the key spots worth knowing about:
- Coupland Dancehall — A dance hall, barbecue spot, and gathering place housed in a two-and-a-half-story brick building dating back to 1904. It originally served as a pharmacy and doctor's office, later became a grocery and tavern, and now operates under the motto "eat, drink, dance, stay a little longer." Live country music and dancing happen every Friday and Saturday night.
- Coupland Depot Museum — A restored railroad depot with a small adjacent park, good for a quick stop to see some of the town's history.
- Huntington Sculpture Foundation — An outdoor sculpture collection you can walk through, featuring work by Jim Huntington.
Live Music at Coupland Dancehall
Coupland Dancehall books real Texas country artists. The video mentions names like Jason Boland and the Stragglers, Josh Ward, Shinyribs, Bruce Robison, Kelly Willis, and the band All Hat No Cadillac, who play '90s country and draw a regular crowd from Austin. David Bridwell was passing through Coupland on his way to play a gig at the Loose Screw Craft Beer House and Garden in Taylor, and the video includes footage from a night when a group from Austin came out specifically to catch All Hat No Cadillac. That's the kind of place Coupland Dancehall is — people will drive out to a town of a few hundred people on a Saturday night because the music and the dancing are that good. If you're into two-stepping and genuine Texas country, it's one of those places you should have on your list.