Brownwood
Around Brownwood
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Town and around · Texas · 38k people
Brownwood
Locals say Heart of Texas
Big skies, warm hearts, and a slower pace.
IndigoGold
Welcome to the Heart of Texas! Whether you're here for the lake, the rodeo, or just some good BBQ, you'll find friendly folks and wide-open spaces.
Clubs for Brownwood
No clubs for Brownwood yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Brownwood. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Brownwood. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Lake Brownwood Large reservoir popular for fishing and boating.
- Lake Brownwood State Park Public park with hiking trails and camping.
- Brownwood Coliseum Hosts rodeos, concerts, and events.
- Brown County Courthouse Historic courthouse in the town square.
- Comanche County Courthouse Another historic courthouse in Comanche.
- Coleman County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Coleman.
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Brownwood
- Outdoors Boating and water skiing
- With kids Swimming at Lake Brownwood
- With kids Visiting the courthouse square
- Evenings Two-stepping at local dance halls
- Evenings Concerts at the coliseum
- Locals love Hunting ranches
- Locals love BBQ joints
Through the year
- Brownwood Rodeo June Annual rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing.
- Brown County Fair September County fair with livestock shows and carnival.
- Pecan Festival October Celebrates the pecan harvest with food and crafts.
- Christmas Parade December Holiday parade through downtown.
- Lake Brownwood Boat Parade July Independence Day boat parade on the lake.
Hot summers, mild winters, with the best weather in spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are mild and pleasant.
Getaways
- Stephenville Cowboy culture and Dublin Dr Pepper bottling plant.
- Abilene Frontier Texas museum and Abilene Zoo.
- San Angelo Riverwalk and historic Concho Avenue.
- Granbury Lake Granbury and historic square.
Local flavour
Rooting for Dallas Cowboys (NFL), Texas Rangers (MLB), Dallas Mavericks (NBA), Dallas Stars (NHL), FC Dallas (MLS), Texas A&M Aggies (NCAA), University of Texas Longhorns (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Texas BBQ brisket Slow-smoked over post oak, a staple at local BBQ joints.
- Chicken fried steak A classic Texas comfort dish, often served with cream gravy.
- Pecan pie Pecans are native and abundant; the pie is a local favourite.
- Fried catfish Fresh from Lake Brownwood, often served at lakeside diners.
Where people go
- Lake Brownwood A reservoir for fishing, boating, and camping, central to recreation.
- Hunting ranches Deer and quail hunting on private land is a major pastime.
- Small-town courthouse squares Historic downtown squares in Brownwood, Brady, and Comanche.
- BBQ joints and diners Family-run eateries serving Texas staples.
Heritage and traditions
Brownwood and its neighbors are proud of their small-town Texas heritage, the 'Heart of Texas' nickname, and the outdoor life centered on Lake Brownwood and the surrounding ranch country.
This time of year in Brownwood
- Deer hunting season Fall/Winter Deer hunting season is a major tradition.
- Pecan harvest Fall Pecan harvesting in the fall.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — about to
Festivals
- Comanche Peach Festival June Celebrates the local peach harvest with pies and contests.
- Brady Rodeo June A classic Texas rodeo with bull riding and barrel racing.
- Coleman County Fair September County fair with livestock shows and carnival rides.
Landmarks with a story
- Brown County Museum of History Local history museum in Brownwood.
- Howard Payne University Founded in 1889, a Baptist university.
- Brownwood Historic Downtown Preserved 19th-century commercial buildings.
- Camp Bowie WWII training camp, now a National Guard base.
- Comanche County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Comanche.
- Coleman County Courthouse Historic courthouse in Coleman.
Food traditions
- Kolaches Czech pastries brought by early settlers, a breakfast staple.
- Venison sausage Made from deer hunting, a local favorite.
- Catfish fry Fried catfish from Lake Brownwood, often at community gatherings.
- Sweet tea Sweetened iced tea, a Southern staple.
Music and arts
- Country music Local bars and dance halls feature live country music.
- Western swing A Texas style with roots in the area.
A little history
- 1856 Brownwood founded
- 1885 Railroad arrives
- 1940s Camp Bowie trains soldiers
Rivalries
- Brownwood Lions vs. Comanche Indians Friday night football showdown.
- Brownwood vs. Early Local high school basketball and football.
- Game day Friday night football
- Game day Rodeo
- Outdoors Fishing on Lake Brownwood
- Outdoors Hunting on ranches
- With kids Swimming at Lake Brownwood
- With kids Visiting the courthouse square
A classic Texas drawl with Southern phrases.
Only here
- The 'Heart of Texas' nickname is used on signs and events.
- Lake Brownwood is a popular spot for summer boating.
- Pecan orchards are common in the area.
- The area is known for deer hunting.
New here? A few tips
- Be ready for hot summers; bring sunscreen and stay hydrated.
- Try the local BBQ and kolaches.
- Get a fishing license and hit the lake.
- Be friendly; people say 'howdy' and are welcoming.
- Expect to drive everywhere; it's a rural area.
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Nearby
Every areaEastlandTexasWhere the hills roll and the skies stretch wide.BradyTexasWhere the pecans grow and the deer roamStephenvilleTexasSmall town, big cowboy heartAbileneTexasWestern warmth under wide Texas skiesGlen RoseTexasSmall town, big tracks.Killeen–TempleTexasWhere the Hill Country meets the heart of Texas.GranburyTexasWhere Texas history meets lakeside living.San AngeloTexasWhere the river meets the range
Brownwood, TX. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.