SAN AUGUSTINE COUNTY
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an Augustine County is in extreme East Texas, 23 miles from the eastern state boundary. It is bordered by the Attoyac River on the west, Sabine County on the east, Shelby County to the north and Sam Rayburn Reservoir to the south. The city of San Augustine, the county seat of San Augustine County, is small, rural, historic, southern and charming! San Augustine is blessed with numerous historically significant commercial and residential structures as well as a rich, colorful and marketable history. In 2002, the Texas State Society of Architects designated San Augustine one of the 25 places termed “Locations where architecture, natural beauty, and cultural heritage combine to create a
special corner of the Lone Star State. Places Texans and non-residents revisit again and again.” San Augustine County is also home to the city of Broaddus, the gateway to Lake Sam Rayburn, one of the most popular recreation areas in East Texas. The largest body of water contained entirely within the State of Texas, it covers 114,500 acres at normal capacity. Lake Sam Rayburn is bordered on the north and south by the Angelina National Forest, one of four national forests in Texas. The 153,179-acre Angelina National Forest is in Angelina, Nacogdoches, San Augustine and Jasper counties.
SHELBY COUNTY
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helby County is in the eastern part of the Texas Forest Country. Center, the largest town and the county seat, is home to the crown jewel of Shelby County, the historic Shelby County courthouse located on the downtown square. Built in 1885, the courthouse was modeled after an Irish castle by architect J.J. F. Gibson, an Irish immigrant. As the story goes, Mr. Gibson was instructed to install an escape hatch next to the judge’s bench just in case the verdict he handed down was not well-received. Two guards were posted at the back with shotguns to ensure that no one left until the judge was safely on his horse and gone. The 1884 jail, designed and built by Mr. Gibson, is now home to the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce. The Shelby County courthouse has recently been added to the Majestic Castle Road trip. Throughout the year Shelby County is host to several festivals and events with the Shelby County Grill Fest BBQ Cook-Off in March, Shelby County Bloomin’ on the Square in April, Shelby County Sheriff ‘s Posse Rodeo in June, the WHAT-A-Melon Festival and tournament 58 | DESTINATION EAST TEXAS
baseball in July and the East Texas Poultry Festival in October. The John D. Windham Civic Center gives Shelby County and the City of Center growth opportunities with conventions, conferences, celebrations, receptions, musical performances and events. A broad selection of entertainment and recreation is accessible with Toledo Bend Lake, which is great for fishing and camping, a variety of restaurants, shopping, art galleries and antique shops on the historic downtown square which welcomes folks to come visit and stay awhile.
The Shelby County courthouse. Photo special to Destination East Texas
