The Graham brothers, Gustavous and Edwin Smith, purchased land in north central Texas in 1869 and established a salt works on Salt Creek. The town of Graham TX was surveyed with wide streets for wagons and lots large enough to accommodate families.

Today, the town’s capacious square is still home to shops and restaurants. Visitors can get their appetites satiated by climbing the “Standpipe Mountain” or eating at the Food Truck Championship of Texas, which takes place in early June.

There are many things to do in Graham

Graham offers something for everyone, whether you are interested in history, shopping, or the outdoors. Visit Fort Belknap, where John Wayne’s movies such as Lonesome Dove were filmed. Shop for western wear at the Old Post Office Museum & Art Center. Attend a concert in the Graham Concert Association Series.

North Texas’s pristine countryside is perfect for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking. This area is known for its outstanding dove, wild turkey and quail hunting. There are also deer leases available.

Only a few miles north of Graham, Lake Graham and Lake Eddleman provide the ideal setting for water recreation and fishing with public boat ramps, camping sites and picnic areas. The Graham Drive-In Theatre offers a first-run film or a bowling match.

The largest downtown square in the U.S.

At one mile in circumference, Graham’s historic downtown square is the biggest in America. The streets have enough width for a wagon making a U turn. Shoppers can stroll leisurely past boutique clothing shops, antique stores and the old Post Office turned museum and art centre.

Graham is the county seat of Young County, a quaint North Texas town nestled among lush tree-covered hills about 90 minutes west of Fort Worth. A variety of one-of-a-kind historic sites, museums and restaurants make Graham a popular destination, while its three nearby lakes offer plenty of ways to relax and enjoy nature. Amid all this, the spirit of the fabled Goodnight-Loving Trail still sings in this western frontier city.

Historic Sites & Museums

When you step onto Graham’s town square, you’re entering the largest courthouse square in America. It encircles the Young County Courthouse and City Hall, plus a lone archway from an 1884 courthouse (the only remnant of that structure). Also located on the square are the Young County Veterans Memorial, a red granite seven foot star inscribed with the names of 157 local men and women who died serving their country since World War I, and the Old Post Office Museum and Art Center.

The museum displays clothing, weapons, and other items from the period. The museum also displays a 1930 Seagrave Fire Truck and oil paintings of Kaye Franklin throughout the building. This was Graham’s primary post office between 1936 and 1992. Climb “Standpipe Mountain” to get a view of the town or watch a movie in the National Theatre which was opened in 1919.

Lakes & Outdoor Adventures

Graham’s North Texas Hill Country is a perfect place to escape the busyness of life and focus on what really matters. Whether you want to catch a fish or explore Graham’s historic movie theaters, the town’s unique parks and lakes provide endless outdoor adventures.

Lake Graham and Lake Eddleman offer a variety of water activities, including public boat ramps and camping areas. These two lakes have a reputation for excellent fishing. Channel catfish, largemouth black bass, hybrid striped basses, and white crappie are all common species.

The Young County area is known nationally for exceptional hunting, and Graham welcomes hunters year-round. The fall brings doves and quail, while the spring brings deer and wild turkeys in abundance. Coyotes and bobcats are among the varmints that can be hunted year-round.

The Graham Drive-In Theatre

This drive-in is perfect for those who want to enjoy the simple pleasures in life while spending time outside watching movies. The theater offers current movies and concessions. It’s a little bit of a trek for those outside of Graham but well worth it.

The Graham Drive-In Theater, a single-screen drive in theater that opened in 1948 is one of the oldest remaining drive-ins in Texas. According to its website, it offers a nostalgic movie experience under the stars.