Chappell Hill, Texas

Chappell Hill only has a short one-street commercial district. Nevertheless, we recommend it as an interesting day trip from Houston. This small town is conveniently located just off state route 290. Because this small town is about halfway between Houston and Austin, historically it was a frequent stopping place for travelers along two major stagecoach lines. Chappell Hill today has a tourist economy, attracting visitors with restored homes, Bluebonnet Festival, Scarecrow Festival and a museum. Its main street has been designated as a National Register Historic District. Though small in scale, Chappell Hill remains one of the best historically preserved towns in Texas. The town was established in 1847 by Mary Hargrove Haller who founded the town on 100 acres (0.40 km2) of land she bought. She then named the town after her grandfather Robert Wooding Chappell.