The video above takes you on a road trip through Hallettsville, Texas, a small town of about 3,000 people sitting right along Highway 90 between Houston and San Antonio. David Bridwell stopped through on his way from Houston gigs into the Texas Hill Country and took some time to walk around the historic square, grab some food, and get a feel for what this town is all about. It's one of those places that doesn't get a ton of attention but has a real identity — rooted in agriculture, Czech and German heritage, and a community that genuinely likes being there.
History and Culture of Hallettsville
Hallettsville is one of the few Texas towns with a founding mother rather than a founding father. In 1836, Margaret Hallett donated the land for the town site. After the Civil War, German and Czech settlers moved into the area and shaped much of the culture that still shows up today, from the annual Hallettsville Kolache Fest to the food you'll find around the square. The town is the county seat of Lavaca County and has served as a regional center for businesses, shopping, and medical care for the surrounding rural area.
Farming has always been central here — cattle, rice, pecans, corn, hay, and fruit — and the town motto says it plainly: "Destroy our farms and grass will grow on the streets of our city." There's a Market Square on many Saturdays where local goods get sold. The Lavaca County Courthouse dates back to 1897, is on the National Register of Historic Places, and was actually used as a backdrop for scenes in The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. Hallettsville also calls itself the Domino Capital of Texas, having hosted the Texas State Championship Domino Tournament since 1954. And since 1971, Fiddlers' Frolics has brought in competitors for the state championship fiddle contest.
What Is There to Do in Hallettsville, Texas?
More than you'd expect for a town this size. The historic square has a good cluster of buildings worth walking around, including the Cole Theater, a movie theater right on the square. For food, there are a few Tex-Mex spots in the area — Los Primos was the move for a solid meal. The kolache fest and Fiddlers' Frolics are the big annual draws, both pulling people in from well outside Lavaca County.
Live Music in Hallettsville
Hallettsville isn't a live music destination on the level of Austin or the Hill Country towns, but there is a spot right on the square worth knowing about:
- Lavaca Drinkery — A bar on the historic square that hosts live music from time to time, making it the go-to spot if you're passing through and want to catch something local
Between the festivals, the square, and the general pace of the place, Hallettsville is a good stop if you're driving between Houston and San Antonio and want to see a small Texas town that still feels like itself.