Texas City Museum

The museum exterior. avance (Atlas Obscura User)

Located in a 30,000-square-foot building that used to be a J.C.Penney’s, this local gem is considered one of Texas City’s best-kept secrets (despite the fact that the staff is constantly trying to tell people about it!).

Inside you will find displays on all aspects of the history of Texas City, a port town on the coast of Galveston Bay. The spacious museum includes an exhibit on the Civil War steam ferryboat the USS Westfield, an authentic Civil War cannon, pirate memorabilia, and a display on the pilots of the 1st Aero Squadron, created in Texas City in 1913.

The collection also chronicles famous Texas City residents, from musicians to world-record holders, and landmark events such as the disastrous Texas City explosion of 1947, the largest industrial accident in U.S. history.

On top of all this, the museum is home to the Galveston Country Model Railroad Club, which displays one of the largest model train layouts in the Lone Star State. The interactive model trains are housed on the second floor of the museum, and are open to the public on Saturdays.

Know Before You Go

There is free street parking all around the museum. Opening hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., although the model trains are only open on Saturdays. The museum is handicap accessible. There is a children's exhibit, and admission is free for children age 6 and under.