ATTRACTIONS

Historic Homes & Buildings

Blackwell House Museum (circa 1886)
315 First Monday Lane • Athens, TX 75103
903-567-0787
Built for Henry F. Blackwell, an early Canton merchant and former County Sheriff, this magnificent house is the oldest home in Canton and features numerous original furnishings, mementos, and photographs from early Canton's history. map

Billy the Kid Museum
382 Highway 17 • Athens, TX 75103
Top of the Mountain
903-504-6608
Unique museum that depicts a variety of "outlaws" including Billy the Kid, Jesse James, John Wilkes Booth, and the Kennedy Assassination. map
Brewer's Bells Museum
The Plaza, Downtown Canton
903-567-0787
View the collection of over 3,000 bells that represent most parts of the world and were collected for over 60 years by Virginia Belle Brewer while visiting this wonderful museum. You'll also see many Oriental religious bells, Swiss cow bells, Persian camel bells, Norwegian sleigh bells, and Russian saddle chimes at this museum. map
Henderson County Historical Museum
217 North Prairieville Street • Athens, TX 75751
903-675-4222
Located in the 1896 Faulk-Gauntt building, this museum features an array of vintage and antique memorabilia, as well as historical recreations of a turn-of-the-century dry goods store, an early law office, a parlor, and a schoolroom. map

Black Beauty Ranch
382 FM 1803 North • Athens, TX 75751
903-469-3811
Home to hundreds of exotic animals, this 1,430 acre refuge was founded by children's author Cleveland Amory and offers a safe haven for many animals including elephants, burros, and chimpanzees. more... map
Cain Center
905 South Palestine • Athens, TX 75751
903-677-2001
Nestled in the heart of 85 beautiful acres is the 50,000-sq.ft. civic and conference center. Facilities include 25-meter pool, whirlpool, sauna, weight room, racquetball courts, tennis courts, two fishing ponds, walking/jogging trail, and 18-holedisc golf course. map
East Texas Arboretum & Botanical Society
1601 Patterson Road • Athens, TX 75751
903-675-5630
A living refuge of natural beauty, this arboretum spreads over 100 beautiful acres that include swampland, pastures, and marshes. You can learn about the greenery, herbs, and flowers of this wonderful area while visiting this arboretum. Educational forums are held throughout the year. more... map