"Keeweechic's Mineola" Mineola by keeweechic

Mineola Travel Guide: 45 reviews and 62 photos

Gateway To The Lake Country

Mineola lies in the East Texas Piney Woods area, around 80 miles east of Dallas in Wood County. The area was originally called Sodom. The town was first established in the 1840's which most of its settlers coming from the southern states of the US. The Northern and Texas Pacific Railroads entered the area in 1873 followed by the MKT in 1881 which made Mineola important in the areas commerce. A post office followed a couple of years later and the town was incorporated in 1877. Unfortunately during the 1880's, a fire destroyed 18 buildings in the town and the town began to rebuild. By 1890 there were several schools including a black free school, banks, hotels, 7 churches and the population had grown to 2,000.

This area was also the heart of the East Texas timber belt and the railroad made good use of it for tiemaking and lumber. Farm products included cotton, fruit and berries and livestock during the early years and a chair factory was opened in 1886. In 1900, this factory was turned into a crate and basket factory and continued to operate through until 1952. The opening of the Magnolia Pipeline Company gas line helped with the growth of the town during the 1920's.

Mineola is known as the 'Gateway to the Lake Country'. There are many lakes in the surrounding areas providing good fishing and recreational activities. The area also has some good pottery stores. There are a lot of good local craftsmen, artists. Musicians, writers and other artists in the area.

The downtown area is part of the Main Street program. You will find the streets lined with period lamp posts and ornate architectural detail on the old buildings. There are many lovely old historic homes in the town also which go back to the prosperous heyday of the early railroad days in Mineola. Most have been carefully restored to bring back those early times.

Mineola is also known as the 'Birding Capital of East Texas'.

Photos which are taken by myself and all headings are copyright and digitally marked. Please do not use them without permission. Thanks.(c) keeweechic 2001 - 2006 (copyright)

Last visit to Mineola: Apr 2004
Intro Updated Aug 3, 2006
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Reviews (45)

Famous Resident Local Customs (5)

Noble Willingham who appeared in more than 30 films including Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Good Morning, Vietnam, and... more travel advice

Sand Springs Cemetery Off The Beaten Path (2)

This cemetery is just outside of Mineola and was originally knowns as the Big Spring Cemetery. It was the burial ground... more travel advice

October Events Local Customs (5)

On the 3rd Saturday in October, there is the Heritage Arts Festival. There are demonstrations of skills, crafts and the... more travel advice

July Events Local Customs (5)

Mineola holds a Freedomfest to celebrate July 4th. There is a fireworks display, fun run, volleyball tournament, tennis... more travel advice

Transportation (3)
See All By Rail
Things to Do (15)
See All Trash Bins
Sports & Outdoors (2)
See All Mineola Country Club
Hotels (8)
See All The Lott Cottage

Restaurants (5)
See All La Waffelatta
Shopping (4)
See All Serendipity Home Furnishings
Nightlife (1)
Select Theatre
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Comments (4)

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Sweetberry1 Oct 8, 2004 at 8:08 PM

Bingo.. one I haven't seen yet.. LOL.. Woww.. more beautiful old mansions.. I love them.. and that gazebo is gorgeous.. like the trash bins too.. LOL. Super page girl.. ;-)
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dr.firas Apr 30, 2004 at 2:48 AM

Another wonderful place in your neighburhood Kay dear, lovely park and nice trash form! LOL so original ;-))
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b1bob Apr 29, 2004 at 5:46 PM

Nice accounting of small town east Texas.
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Rillifane Apr 29, 2004 at 3:25 PM

Good to see another person exdtolling the virtues of East Texas.