What is the Texas Heritage Trails Program?
The Texas Heritage Trails Program (THTP) is based around 10 scenic driving trails created in 1968 by Gov. John Connally and the Texas Highway Department as a marketing tool. The trails were established in conjunction with the HemisFair, an international exposition that commemorated the 250th anniversary of the founding of San Antonio.
In 1997, the Texas Historical Commission (THC) was charged by the State Legislature to create a statewide heritage tourism program. The THC based their program on the original driving trails, creating ten heritage regions (see map below).
Today, the trails serve merely as a backbone for the THC’s award-winning regional tourism initiative. The program’s focus has broadened to include heritage tourism attractions both on and off the trail, and communities throughout each region are encouraged to participate in the program.
How does THTP help Texas and Texans?
A combination of historic preservation and tourism, this economic development initiative encourages communities to partner to promote Texas’ historic and cultural resources. These successful local preservation efforts, combined with statewide marketing of the areas as heritage regions, increase visitation to cultural and historic sites and bring more dollars to Texas communities, especially rural ones.
How Do I Get Involved?
Individuals, businesses, and communities are always welcome to participate in the program. For more information please contact your your regional office. For most of East Texas, this office is in Nacogdoches.
Mary Turner, Executive Director
Texas Forest Trail Region
202 E. Pilar Street
Nacogdoches, TX 75961
(936) 560-3699
info@texasforesttrail.com
I Want to Learn More!
Heritage Tourism Fact Sheet (pdf)
Principles of Heritage Tourism
Four Steps to Heritage Tourism Development
Attract More Heritage Tourists to Your Community
Heritage Tourism Works for Texas (pdf)
Marketing Basics