The Woodbine Hotel and Restaurant

Area Attractions

The Woodbine Hotel and Restaurant

Madison County remains a crossroads since before the "white man" came to give names to the Indian Trails. The El Camino Real (The King's Highway or the Old San Antonio Road, now TX-21) and the La Bahia Trail are two of the most popular trails in the area. Located 2.2 miles from Interstate 45, Madisonville is approximately 167 miles from Dallas and 97 miles from Houston. 75% of the population of Texas is within 200 miles of this quaint little town with lots of warm friendly people and many antique shops.

There is a tremendous amount of history and cultural activities within a 40-minute drive. Guests can easily spend several days using the hotel as a home base to explore the magnificent countryside. In addition to the towns and cities listed below, Navasota, Brenham (home of Blue Bell ice cream), the Cradle of Texas Independence and Washington-on-the-Brazos lie to the southwest.

Madisonville
Population 4,100

Dr. P.W. Kittrell proposed to create a new county in 1853 from Walker, Grimes and Leon Counties. The State Legislature adopted the measure and Madison County was created and named after the US President. Madisonville, the county seat, is located on land granted by the Mexican Government in 1835 to Job Starks Collard. He donated 200 acres of the land in 1854 to create the county seat.

The Trinity River on the East, the Navasota River on the West, and the Bedias Creek on the South bind the town. Madisonville is the only incorporated town in Madison County. North Zulch and Midway are the other small towns in the county.

The first newspaper was established in 1888. It was replaced with the now present "Madisonville Meteor" in 1894. In 1904, the first telephone service was established in Madisonville when the line was installed from Huntsville. The original telephone booth for the town is located in the saloon at the Woodbine Hotel. Electricity came to town in 1913 and the Lone Star Gas Company established the first gas lines in 1940-41.

Things to See and Do:

Mushroom Festival: October, gala dinner with local chefs and Texas wines, cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, arts and crafts, music, photography contest, auto showcase, Shiitake 5k run/walk, ranch and farm showcase, portabella fajitas. More info at TexasMushroomFestival.com

Madison County Fair: third weekend in March

Sidewalk Cattleman's Association: annual celebration begins in May and ends the first weekend in June. Activities include BBQ dinners, BBQ cook-off, Dances with country artists, trail rides, a parade and two PRCA Rodeos.

North Zulch Volunteer Fire Department Annual Mother’s Day BBQ: at the Fire Department in North Zulch

Annual Jet Ski Races: June 18-19-20, Lake Madison at the Lake House

North Zulch Volunteer Fire Department Annual Fish Fry: October, North Zulch

Midway Annual BBQ Cook-Off: last Saturday in October, Midway Community Center

Christmas Parade: first Saturday in December (right in front of the hotel!) The parade arrives downtown at 6 pm. Santa visits with the children at the Kimbro Center after the parade. Refreshments and pictures with Santa compliments of the MCCC but bring your own camera too!

First Baptist Church Annual “Pathway of Light”: 2^nd weekend in December at the church

Shopping

Antique Stores downtown – they come and go. Currently none on the square (but within 35 minutes – Centerville, Crockett, Normangee, Huntsville, Bryan and College Station all have excellent antique stores). We do have estate auctions every month, call for info

Monterey Mushrooms: largest mushroom manufacturer in Texas, local farm with retail sales available to public

Gypsy Dolls on the Square

Frontier Outfitters on the Square

Lone Star Pottery by the interstate

Mule Barn Baubles and Bling, next to Legends Steakhouse on the Square

Lone Star Quilt Emporium

Ginger Red House

Floorworks

Heart to Heart Florist and Gift Shop

Apple Tree Florist and Gift Shop

Molly’s Silver and Such

Nettles Country

Library/Geneology

Madison County Museum, Madison St. open Wednesday – Saturday 10 am to 2 pm

Madison County Library, May Street

Madison County Courthouse

Normangee Library

Navasota Library, Grimes County

Sporting/Recreational

Nettles Country: see miniature horses, working cutting horses, buffalo, watch stirrups being made, visit the gift shop

Madison County Gun and Archer Club: 936-348-4263, skeet, trap and 5 stand. FM 1428 to CR 123

Oak Ridge Country Club: FM 1348, pool, tennis, golf, pro shop

Madison County Lake: fishing, walking trail, boating, softball, soccer

International Horse Training: both at Nettles Country and Ashwood Farms

Monthly Average Temperatures

January 49.5
February 53.5
March 60.5
April 68.5
May 75.5
June 81.4
July 85.4
August 84.4
September 79.6
October 70.4
November 59.5
December 52.5

Huntsville 25 miles south of Madisonville on I-45
Population 28,465

Huntsville was founded in the year of Texas Independence, 1836, as an Indian trading post. Sam Houston was a prominent early Texan who lived in town. The town is the headquarters of Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Institutional Division and home of Sam Houston State University. The downtown area is host to a variety of antique and arts and crafts shops as well as many turn-of-the-century homes.

Things to See and Do:

Blue Lagoon: sparkling artesian springs feed old rock quarry, great for diving.

Gibbs-Powell House Museum: built in 1862, elegantly furnished Greek Revival home.

Huntsville State Park: 2,123 acres of greenery in Sam Houston National Forest

Sam Houston Memorial Museum Complex: Personal effects of Houston as well as items belonging to Santa Anna. Includes a 66-foot tall statue of Sam Houston.

Oakwood Cemetery: Sam Houston's burial site plus other Texas personalities

Texas Berry Farm: pick your own, best season is May to mid-July.

Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division: Headquarters of Texas prison system, created in 1847.

Texas Prison Museum: exhibits changes in prison system since 1848 inception.

Make sure to do some Antique Shopping on the square.

Bryan/College Station 37 miles west of Madisonville on TX-21
Population 111,716

Formally charted in 1855, Bryan is located where Stephen F. Austin's colonists settled between 1821 ­ 1831. College Station adjoins Bryan forming the center of Brazos county and hosts Texas A&M University, the state's first public institution of higher education established in 1876.

Things to See and Do:

Brazos Valley Museum of Natural History: natural history, archeology, prehistory. Open Sept - May Tuesday - Saturday from 10 am to 5 PM; June - August Monday - Saturday from 8 am to 5 PM

Messina Hof Wine Cellars: winemaking traditions of Messina, Italy and Hof, Germany are blended at the vineyards. Tours, retail store and tasting room open daily.

Texas A&M University: formed for military Cadet Corps and ROTC, graduates served in World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. Outstanding research in agriculture, animal pathology, slat and fresh-water fisheries, engineering and nuclear technology

Albritton Bell Tower: 49 bells cast in France with a total weight of 17 tons, largest weighs 6,500 pounds

Art Exhibits: at J.E. Rudder Exhibit Hall and Memorial Student Center Gallery

Flora Test Garden: Hundreds of varieties of seeds and bulbs cultivated to test adaptability of local climate.

Sam Houston Sanders Corps of Cadets Center: exhibits honoring past, present and future, miniature cannons, swords, guns, flags, Metzger-Sanders Gun Collection and Sam Houston Sanders Commemorative Colt Collection.

George Bush Presidential Library: exhibits the unique influences and challenges that shaped George Bush's life and presidency. Encompasses much of US History since 1941.

Crockett 35 miles east of Madisonville on TX-21
Population 7,315

Named for frontiersman Davy Crockett, among the oldest towns in Texas and site of many historic structures. Legend states that Davy Crockett camped here on his way to the Alamo and said he would return to live. Crockett is the seat of Houston County.

Things to See and Do:

Davy Crockett Memorial Park: 35 wooded acres

Davy Crockett National Forest: entrance 10 miles east on TX-7

Davy Crockett Spring: campsite of Colonel Davy Crockett

Downs-Aldrich House: 3 story Victorian home, circa 1912, elaborate gingerbread

Monroe-Crook House: elegant 1854 Greek Revival house with period furnishings

Visitor Center Museum: housed in 1909 railroad depot, exhibits history of the first county of the Republic of Texas