See Palestine Texas in 48 Hours...A Different Perspective

Today's guest writer is longtime resident and owner of the Redlands Historic Inn, Jean Mollard. 

The most often asked question at the Redlands Historic Inn is, “What a lovely building ..now what do we do in Palestine TX"

Of course, I have a million questions I won't ask you,

• Do you like the outdoors or are you an indoor person?
• Do you stay up late?
• What kind of music do you like?
• Do you want fine dining or fast food?
• How old are you?
• How much money do you want to spend?

Instead,  I suggest that you EXPLORE and visualize.

Think about this town as a place where community life took place over 150 years  … It is a huge quilt of buildings, families, homes, roads, trees, farms, bridges stitched to a backing of red soil and green trees over time.   Think of meandering through this city with an open mind trying to figure out how it came to be, here at this time and place.

My only NO NO… avoid thinking about what it is NOT .. a Disneyland  town of perfectly restored properties.

So, you have nature, architecture, history, music, food, culture, religion and good old peace and relaxation to fill your time!

Here are some guides for exploration …. drive very slowly (however, please stay safe) or stop and walk.  

1. Look UP .. unless you are driving, do not focus on the roadway or sidewalk. You will find architectural gems in the roof lines, porches, canopies and upper windows of buildings.   Look for insignia featuring dates and pretty molding of masonry.   

2. Talk to people, they will be eager to share with you the history of this community and what it has to offer.

3. Get a Palestine city map .. preferably a big map.  See how large the area is... Note the main sites .. Downtown, The Texas State Railroad, etc.

4. Decide on dining or events which should be planned in advance.  A dinner reservation at the Red Fire Grille, a scenic ride on the Texas State Railroad… then you will how much time is  left  to explore.

5. Breakfast is a vacation perk. There are three restaurants in walking distance from the Redlands Inn and several others with varying styles of food from old fashioned diner to mi-gas at the local taqueria.   Get up early about 7:00 and seize the day.

6. Downtown stores start opening between 9 – 10 am and close at 5 pm; Shopping downtown offers an assortment of experiences from antiques, specialty and gift. Historic Palestine Main Street features 5 antique stores, 7 bakeries & restaurants, 14 specialty & gift shops including ladies dress shops, art gallery & winery (go up to winery), western wear, a music store with a wall of guitars, original shoe repair store, a department store with fine shoes in an vintage 1950's store front,  resale clothing store, several  shabby chic boutique stores, spas, hair salons and more. 

Again two ways to look at the businesses.. the building they are in now and imagine what was once there and the business there now making new history.    

Jean’s special picks to look for in downtown:

1. The Dr Pepper painted wall billboard in an alley to the East of the Redlands Hotel… we think it was on a grocery store wall.  It is in great shape because the tall buildings protected it from years of bright sunlight.

   

   Dr. Pepper Mural

2. The water trough at the five way corner of Spring, Main and Sycamore.   
3. The purple glass in the large metal access covers in the sidewalk at Magnolia & Main St.  Purple glass is clear glass which had a  pre-1917 mineral in it which turns purple with years of sunlight.  The glass panels let light into the tunnels below. 
4. Find the many buildings in downtown which have been renovated in the 1950's with colored glass panels about 3/8” thick  used as siding on the front of the buildings.  Some look like black marble, others various shades of green and tan.   While they modernized a 1890’s building, the material is respected today for its own merit.  Again, another layer of time is impressed on the buildings.
5. Imagine yourself in downtown. Look for the building you could buy, imagine the business or second floor loft you could transform.

Getting Out and About

Residential  Drive About: A simple drive through the  North and South  Historic Districts will demonstrate a vast diversity of styles, shapes and conditions of homes from the people who lived and worked in the community beginning in 1872.  You will find new owners with young children,  well kept homes and those which are beauties waiting to be saved.  Look for the pretty gardens .. many of the roses and bulb plants go back generations.  Be sure to take your camera for the historic markers and take time to get out and read them.  Caution, many people have reported driving these tours caused them to buy a home here!

Countryside Drive About:   You will know what I mean about GREEN when you see the layers and layers of  green trees.  When looking at the county map, you will find roads are like a spokes from the center.  Take the side country or county roads... you will find great biking, lovely ranches and farms and gigantic trees.  Sunday is a great day for touring the countryside.

The Great Outdoors: You name it, we've got it! Horseback riding, fun runs of varying lengths throughout the year, the YMCA has a rock climbing wall and so much more.  

Parks: Texas State Railroad Park at the Palestine and Rusk Depot is a great spot to park and walk and also to watch for the train’s arrival and departure. Davey Dogwood Park is huge with over 5.5 scenic driving trails and excellent spots to stop and picnic.

Spas: Yes, we have enough to make a guide book and a festival.  We have several in the city and at retreats in the countryside.   I have heard it said that one of the masseuses is the best ever, anywhere!   Peace and tranquility, right here!