You'll Think You've Traveled To Eastern Europe When You Visit The Tiny Town Of West, Texas
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 11, 2022
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Katie Lawrence
Author
Katie Lawrence is a Southeast Texas native who graduated 18th in her high school class with a GPA of 4.25. She attended college in the Houston area and changed her major twice (psychology, computer science, and finally criminal justice) before taking a leap of faith and dropping out to pursue a career in freelance writing.
Today, Katie writes for the Texas and Arizona pages of OnlyInYourState.com and has never been more passionate about a job before. Outside of work, you can likely find her curled up on the sofa with a hot cup of coffee, watching a crime TV show or scary movie.
If you want to get a little taste of Eastern Europe right here in the Lone Star State, start planning a trip to the small town of West. This quaint, rural community off of I-35 boasts the best kolaches in Texas (which makes sense, considering the town has more Czech-American residents than anywhere else in the state).
When you drive into the small town of West and see the Czech flag flying high, you'll swear you've traveled to Eastern Europe - but you're still in Texas!
Located about 20 miles north of Waco, the town of just over 2,500 was established in the late 1860s as a stagecoach stop. It saw a large influx of Czech and German immigrants during that time due to the coming of the railroad and the emergence of cotton production, and now has a larger concentration of Czech Texans than any other city.
West's town square looks similar to that of any other small Texas town, but it has a decidedly international flair. Some of the architecture is reminiscent of an Eastern European village...
With a full belly, spend some time delving into the town's rich history before heading home. The History of West Museum offers an array of fascinating exhibits detailing every aspect of West's development from a small farming and ranching community into the thriving little town it is today.
West also hosts a yearly festival, Westfest, that pays homage to the town’s Czech heritage.
Have you ever been to West? If so, we’d love to hear all about your experience in the comments! Don’t forget to check out our previous article for a nearby attraction where you can see the fossilized remains of ancient woolly mammoths.
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