Originally named Taylorsville in 1876, was home to the International and Great Northern railroad and in 1882 the Missouri, Kansas and Texas line was established to make Taylor...

Originally named Taylorsville in 1876, was home to the International and Great Northern railroad and in 1882 the Missouri, Kansas and Texas line was established to make Taylor the crossroads of enterprise. Rich black soil made cattle and cotton king. A large fire in 1879 destroyed 29 wood-frame buildings in the flourishing downtown. Buildings were quickly rebuilt with brick and mortar, and they are still part of today’s architecturally significant downtown. Today, Taylor is a thriving community with a balanced mix of business and residential. The city is home to a community-owned hospital, Temple College, a wireless community network, and some of the top barbecue in the nation. City was home to several famous citizens, including Rip Torn (actor), Elmer ‘Pet’ Brown (world middleweight wrestling champion), Dan Moody (youngest Governor in Texas’ history), and Bill Pickett (cowboy who invented ‘bulldogging’).

Festivals include Outlaw Truck & Tractor Pull in June, Taylor Rodeo in Jul., International BBQ Cook-Off in Aug., Bloomin’ Festival in May, and Christmas parade and Lights of the Blackland Tour in Dec.

Taylor Chamber of Commerce: 512/365-8485. www.taylorchamber.org.