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S.S. Giddings driving tour


Have you been wanting a trip but want to keep observing safe social distancing?
Try our S.S. (Social Spacing) Giddings Driving Tour. See the great sites of Giddings from the safety of your car, or at your own hours to avoid potential crowds.

Download and print our PDF Tour Guide and Map.
Travel at your own pace, learn about Giddings, enjoy your outing!



Historic Giddings



911 Memorial at the giddings fire station

151 W. Independence, Giddings TX
Outside 24/7

For 4 years the GVFD worked hard to get these beams from the World Trade Center brought to Giddings, as a memorial to the first responders of 9-11.


arnold smith arrowhead collection - a world left behind

Giddings Library & Cultural Center
276 N. Orange Street, Giddings TX
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 10am-1pm
(979) 542-2716

The largest arrowhead collection in Texas. Items from this early American collection date from Paleo-Indian period of about 10 thousand years ago to the late historic and historic periods of 300 years ago. Items range from projectile point fragments which were part of weapons used to hunt larger animals such as Ice Age mammoths and bison. Other items include pottery from the late-historic period. This display is truly a lesson in history.




Bill Longley Historical Marker

Giddings Cemetery, Hwy 290 West
Cemetery open from dawn-dusk

The marker of the final resting place of notorious gunslinger, Wild Bill Longley of Giddings (Evergreen). After being hung 3 times he was finally laid to rest in the Giddings Cemetery (Verified by the Smithsonian)



Businesses of Giddings mural at the
Giddings Post Office

279 E. Austin St, Giddings TX
Outside 24/7

Painted by local artist, Johnny Jones, this mural turned a mundane brick wall into an interactive attraction. The scene depicts several local businesses and townsfolk but cleverly hidden in the mural are 11 items: a mouse, fishing hook, chameleon, penny, clothespin, dime, safety pin, butterfly, eye glasses, cat’s eye marble and a thimble. Visitors are invited to try and find them all.
Answer Key



Depression Era Mural at the
Giddings Post office

279 E. Austin St, Giddings TX
Post office hours: Mon-Fri  8am-4pm
Lobby Hours: 24/7

"Cowboys Receiving the Mail" by Otis Dozier (1939) painting which is part of 109 works of art painted during the Great Depression for display in Texas post offices & federal buildings. It is a piece of living history, a reminder of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's efforts to give work to artists during that time of poverty.


First Presbyterian Church 

192 S. Grimes Street, Giddings TX
Sunday Services 9:30am

The First Presbyterian Church of Giddings, Texas was organized on April 28, 1876 with thirteen charter members under the direction of B.H. Behers, D.D. One of the charter members, Frank Morris, was responsible for constructing the present sanctuary in 1886. The Sanctuary has been in continuous use since that time, making it the oldest church building in continuous use in Giddings.



Hilton Lee Smith 
Baseball Memorabilia Collection

Giddings Library & Cultural Center
276 N. Orange Street, Giddings TX
Mon-Fri 10am-6pm; Sat 10am-1pm
(979) 542-2716

Hilton Lee Smith is a Hometown Hero, born in Giddings Texas. He became one of the greatest baseball players. He moved to Kansas City to join the Kansas City Monarchs and played alongside pitcher Satchel Paige. Hilton Lee Smith was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001.



Historical Markers of Lee County Tour

Check out the Historical Markers of Lee County! There are about 40 of them throughout the County, 20 located within the City of Giddings.
Our PDF booklet lists all the markers and their location. Historical Marker Book.


The Lee County Courthouse

200 S. Main Street, Giddings TX
Mon-Fri  8am-5pm

Completed in 1899, this courthouse replaced the original from 1878 which was lost to fire. The architecture is Richardsonian Romanesque. It is said to be octagonal in shape with the four sides facing the four points of the compass.


lee county museum & visitors center at the Schubert-Fletcher Home

183 E. Hempstead St, Giddings TX
Mon-Fri  9am-5pm
(979) 542-3455

This museum in downtown Giddings tells the story of Lee County from Native Americans to present day. Also the home of the Giddings Chamber of Commerce & Visitor's Center

Donations are appreciated




9 MURALS IN GIDDINGS

Various locations throughout Giddings and downtown.

Be sure to see all the murals of Giddings from the Depression Era mural to the Businesses of Giddings with its "hide & seek" game to several others.

Download our list of murals, their addresses and a photo reference.
9 Murals of Giddings


Texas Wendish Heritage Museum &
St. Paul Lutheran Painted Church

In Serbin (7 miles outside of Giddings) 1011 CR 212, Giddings TX
Tues-Sat  1am-5pm
(979) 366-2441

The Texas Wendish Heritage Museum preserves the history of the Texas Wends, Slavic immigrants from Lusatia, an area in eastern Germany.

The 1871 St. Paul Lutheran Church and cemetery are next door to the museum. The present Church is one of the painted churches of South Central Texas.



Veterans honor memorial

In Veterans Park, one block off Hwy 290 at the intersection of N. Montgomery Street. Outside 24/7

The start of a new Veteran's Honor Park section, this memorial remembers our military branches, MIAs and POWs.

fun things to do


giddings Golf Course

On CR 227, just off Highway 290

Giddings Gold Course is 9 holes of improving excellence, in a family oriented relaxed atmosphere where you can come play an enjoyable round of golf at your leisure. Beverages for all ages and snacks including lots of chocolate! Complimentary coffee and hot chocolate. 



LeeSure Lanes Bowling Alley

2249 W Highway 290, Giddings TX
Fri-Sat  6pm-12am (midnight)

Leesure Lanes is a 16 lane bowling center, offering bowling, arcades, bar, a snack bar and a meeting room / entertainment room (with 120" TV)


Sheriff's Posse Rodeo Arena

2591 West Hwy 290, Giddings TX
(3 miles west of town)

A covered Rodeo Arena of 100x300. Events are held throughout the year including sortings and barrel races. The Gidding Rodeo happens the 3rd weekend of April and the PBR Bullriding on July 4th.


parks & nature


Firemen's Park

The park, a fifty-acre site available for parties, events and entertainment. The manicured grounds offer a covered rodeo arena, show barns, dance pavilion, food court, entertainment stages, a rental hall, BBQ pits, and an RV park. Location of the Lee County Fair on the 3rd weekend of May and the Giddings Rodeo.



Giddings Veteran's Park

One block off Hwy 290 at the intersection of N. Montgomery Street

Home to the Lee County Little League, city swimming pool, playgrounds and tennis courts.

Simmang Park

800 W. Independence, Giddings TX

Contains the Hilton Lee Smith Field, Lee County Soccer fields, covered basketball courts, walking trails and picnic pavilion.


close to Giddings


Bastrop State Park at Lake Bastrop

100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop TX
Open daily 6am-10pm

You can camp at the campsite or historic cabin, picnic, swim, ride bikes, hike 7 miles of trail, fish in the 1/2 acre Lake Mina, geocache, take in a nature program, and look for wildlife.  Ranger programs include nature hikes and other activities for all ages.



Buescher State Park.

100 Park Road 1E, Smithville, TX 

Hike 6 miles of forest trail, bike, mountain bike, fish from kayak or canoe and take a leisurely paddle around the lake, then stay overnight at a variety of campsites. Be sure to see the Big Tree, a former state champion cedar elm.

dime box heritage museum

CR 141, Dime Box TX
Fri-Sun  1pm-5pm

artifacts donated by local residents, including German and Czech quilts and a miniature Czech First Communion book.


1850 lexington log cabins

524 4th Street, Lexington TX
Call 979-773-8400 to schedule a tour

Your guides costumed in period clothing will demonstrate pioneer crafts. The  Heritage Center highlights two log cabins and a corncrib, once instrumental in the lives of early pioneers in the region. The log cabins feature authentic furnishings and artifacts of the era including tools, kitchen utensils, firearms, furniture, and tack.



Nails Creek State Park on Lake Somerville

6280 FM 180, Ledbetter TX
Open daily 8am-5pm

Fishing, boating on 11,000 acres, paddling, swimming, camping, picnic, hike on 40 trails, ride mountain bikes, play horseshoes or volleyball, geocache or go birding. Horses are allowed on most of the trails. Explore miles of multi-use trails. Somerville Public Hunting Land is nearby, also on the lake. Camp at a variety of sites. Canoes and kayaks for rent, Birch Creek rents volleyballs and horseshoes too.


stuermer store

100 E Hwy 290 at FM 1291, Ledbetter TX
Fri-Sat  10am-2pm

Considered a working museum that provides a look into the past. The original saloon now serves hand-dipped Blue Bell, shakes, and malts along with hamburgers, fish baskets, and deli sandwiches.




Giddings Chamber of Commerce
183 E. Hempstead
Giddings, TX 78942
Located in the Lee County Museum, off the Courthouse Square

Contact:  (979) 542-3455
Chamber email:  chambergiddings@gmail.com
Tourism email:  giddingschamber@gmail.com






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