This Little Town In Texas Might Just Be The Most Unique Town In The World
By Katie Lawrence|Published November 10, 2016
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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.
Texas has its fair share of small towns, but I dare to say that none are quite as unique as this one. Wharton, with a population of just under 9,000, seems a bit out of place in some aspects but is a Texas town through-and-through in others. Between random dinosaur statues and motels with tepees instead of rooms, you may find yourself wondering where you are at times – but I can guarantee that your experience will be an unforgettable one.
Although only 60 miles southwest of Houston, Wharton is so quaint and old-fashioned that you'd never guess how close it is to a major city.
Its town square is full of antique shops, restaurants, and even an old Plaza Theater. Strolling around and immersing yourself in the small-town vibes will completely remove you from the chaos of the Houston metropolis.
Wharton was established in 1838 as part of the Caney Run mail route, but wasn't officially incorporated until 1847. It was a plantation community, and the first lieutenant governor of Texas, Albert Horton, was one of the first settlers.
At Riverfront Park, one of 11 parks in the city, you'll find a life-size dinosaur sculpture. The locals have renamed the park 'Dinosaur Park' because of it.
The Tee Pee Motel affords visitors the opportunity to spend the night in an authentic Native American teepee. There's even a fire ring outside to make a bonfire and meet other travelers staying there.
With how strange the town is, you wouldn't expect it to have typical Texas-style restaurants, but Hinze's BBQ is easily the most popular eatery in Wharton.
Overall, Wharton is an adorable town - just not one you'd expect to find in Texas, much less an hour away from the largest city in the state. It's old-fashioned, quaint, and a little bit weird (in a good way), making it deserving of a visit from everyone.
Have you ever been to Wharton? What was your experience like? Are there any other towns in Texas that don’t quite seem to fit in with the rest of the state?
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