Explore The Texas Coastal Bend
KINGSVILLE
Longhorns are a usual sight at the
King Ranch
Home of King Ranch
The names of Kingsville and King Ranch are thought of
synonymously and with good reason. Kingsville is located on part
of a Mexican land grant purchased by Captain Richard King in
1853. It was the beginning of a dream to tame the Wild Horse
Desert. His widow, Henrietta, continued that pursuit for 40
years following his death. Among her many achievements was the
founding of Kingsville in 19-4, a raw town site in the middle of
the prairie, situated along the St. Louis, Brownsville and
Mexico Railway route.
Birthplace of Ranching Industry
Today, King Ranch is designated as a National Historic Landmark
and is historically recognized as the birthplace of the American
ranching industry. The four south Texas divisions sprawl across
almost a million acres of Gulf of Mexico coastal plains. Santa
Gertrudis and King Ranch Santa Cruz breeds of cattle, quarter
horses, majestic Texas Longhorn cattle, and a rich diversity of
native wildlife welcome visitors during one of the variety of
tours offered to the public. Tours originate from the Visitors
Center on the Santa Gertrudis Division, just minutes from
downtown Kingsville. These tours are available daily (except
Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day). Special
interest tours that include wildlife, birding and agriculture
are available by reservation. Each November the Ranch opens to
the public with a Ranch Hand Breakfast. Entertainment and a cow
camp breakfast draw visitors who are eager for an authentic view
of a ranch steeped in 150 years of history.
The Annual Ranch Hand Breakfast
You can also relive the days of a by-gone era by visiting the
1904 Train Depot in historic downtown Kingsville. Enjoy browsing
through railroad exhibits and learn how rail changed the history
of South Texas ranching. Check out an elegant private car owned
by the King Ranch's Clement family. Located at 104 E. Kleberg
Avenue
Ranching Memorabilia
After touring King Ranch, plan to visit the King Ranch Museum
located in the Henrietta Memorial Center. The museum offers
unique insights into the everyday lives of the people who made
ranching in America what it is today. On the Texas A&M
University, Kingsville (TAMUK) campus, discover the natural
history of south Texas in wildlife exhibits, pictorials, and
audio tours at the John E. Conner Museum. Both museums and the
King Ranch Visitor Center have a gift shop with books and gift
items unique to the state and South Texas. The Texas A&M
University Kingsville campus also offers the Art Gallery, the
Little Theater and Recital Hall, and the Edward Newton Jones
Auditorium, all presenting year around musical and drama
productions.
Nature Tours
With a million acres of habitat, it is no wonder that a variety
of bird and wildlife species flourish. Sign up for one of the
many nature tours conducted by King Ranch or visit birding
hotspots around town that are marked on The Great Texas Coastal
Birding Trail. Sightings include many tropical residents and
migratory species. More than 75 various sanctuaries are located
throughout Kingsville and the county. Check out the Kleberg
County Park or come by the Kingsville Visitor Center and pick up
a guide to those "little known places to bird".
Shopping lures many visitors because historic downtown offers
hand-crafted products, jewelry, and a variety of giftware, hobby
items, clothing and leather goods, as well as antiques. The
cornerstone of the historic district is the King Ranch Saddle
Shop, located in the restored 1904 J.B. Ragland Mercantile Co.
building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Check out more gift shops and boutiques nearby, if you've a
hankering for that great western outfit, Brighton accessories,
or that special gift to take home. Pick up a Shopping Guide at
the Kingsville Visitor's Center.
Tex-Mex to BBQ
Restaurants to suit everyone's taste are found throughout the
city. From Texas Bar-B-Que, to authentic "Tex-Mex", spicy
Mexican foods, down home cookin', freshly caught seafood,
steaks, and everybody's favorites: pizza and fried chicken,
you're sure to leave satisfied. Known as the "birthplace of the
Texicali" sandwich, Young's Pizza is an eclectic blend of
Kingsville history and campus memorabilia. While there, don't
miss partaking in the best baked potato this side of the Nueces
River!
Fishing on Baffin Bay almost guarantees the serious angler a day
to remember. State records are made, set and broken in what is
commonly known as "the back door to the Bay". Hook up with a
professional fishing guide service like Horizon Outfitters or
others that know where the big ones are and get ready to reel in
dinner. Guide lists are available in the Kingsville Visitors
Center.
Events
Annual events, such as La Posada de Kingsville, South Texas
Ranching Heritage Festival, Kleberg County Livestock Show,
International Young Performers Music Competition, and the South
Texas Birding & Wildlife Festival both entertain and educate
visitors to Kingsville. Other events include TAMUK's Jazz
Festival, the Brush Country Art roundup, the Annual NCAA
Division II All-Star Game (Cactus Bowl), year 'round golf
tournaments, a fun-filled Old-Fashioned 4th of July Picnic, the
Annual Wild Game Dinner and auction extravaganza, rodeos, and
collegiate sporting events.
Call the Kingsville Visitor's Center at 800.333.5032 or visit
www.kingsvilletexas.com. |
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