Hico, Texas

This small town exudes confidence that it will someday soon become a popular tourist destination. And from all outward appearances, the town’s citizenry is putting its money where its optimism is. Renovation and construction are evidenced throughout. On the downside, Hico currently lacks coffee shops and public restrooms. These are complementary necessities for any affluent visitor – facilities for both diuretic intake and discharge. While in the hopefully-soon-to-be-constructed coffee shops, why not pamper yourself with a decadent double-layer cheesecake Danish or triple-chocolate-swirl éclair? This will momentarily be followed by gastronomic guilt, necessitating a stroll around town to expend calories.  The stroll is repeatedly interrupted with right-angle tangents into tempting boutiques and gift shops, which results in the expenditure of more tourist dollars and subsequent guilt. This guilt can only be overcome by a repeat visit to town to prove that you have conquered your temptation demons. I hope the Hico town council is reading this. Despite its current limitations, this small town’s has the prerequisites for a successful visitor magnet. These include historical significance, attractive residential areas and an abundance of commercial stone architecture. Downtown Hico novelties include the Billy the Kid Museum and statue. These celebrate the outlaw’s residence and death in Hico in 1950. Although historians have disputed these claims, why should accuracy stand in the way of a legend? Be sure to visit the stately Midland Hotel (circa 1896) on South Pecan Street. Hico was named by its founder for his hometown in Calloway County in southwestern Kentucky near Murray, just north of the Tennessee state boundary.