The Great Texas Tumbleweed Throwdown: Who Ya Holdin' Oldest?
Texas, a state bigger than some European countries (and with egos to match), is also brimming with history. But when it comes to the title of "Oldest Town in Texas," things get a little dusty...and maybe involve a tumbleweed or two rolling down Main Street.
There are two main contenders in this dusty duel:
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Nacogdoches (pronounced "Knock-a-dodge-us," bless you): This charming town likes to brag about being founded in 1779 by Don Antonio Gil Y'Barbo, a Spanish dude with a name longer than a Texas summer. Nacogdoches boasts a rich history, having seen nine flags fly over it (that's three more than Texas itself!). They even claim to have been a continuous settlement since then, which is impressive considering the number of times folks probably mistook it for a giant mirage.
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Presidio (pronounced like it sounds, thank goodness): This tiny town out west near Mexico claims a much earlier founding date of 1535, thanks to Spanish explorer Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca. Now, Álvar might have gotten a little lost wandering the desert for eight years, but they definitely built a fort there. Presidio's motto could be "We may be small, but we're old, darn it!"
So, Who Wins the Tumbleweed Trophy?
Well, it depends on your definition of "town." Nacogdoches definitely has the bigger claim to fame, being a continuously inhabited spot with a long and storied past. Presidio, on the other hand, can definitely say they were there "first," even if it was just a lonely fort in the middle of nowhere.
Truth be told, Texas history is full of fascinating twists and turns. Native American tribes lived in both areas for thousands of years before Europeans showed up. Maybe the real winners are the folks who have called this land home for centuries, long before anyone was arguing about flags and founding fathers.
The Moral of the Story?
- Texas is old. Like, really old.
- Don't underestimate the tenacity of a small town with a big history.
- And next time you're in Texas, take a moment to appreciate the layers of history beneath your feet, whether it's in a bustling city or a dusty outpost. You never know what stories those tumbleweeds might be whispering.
