Pippen Motor Co in Carthage, TX

Carthage Texas "Country at its best!"

Whether you live in Texas or just want to take a vacation to the Lone Star State, there’s something for everyone here. If you’re a music or history lover, we have some great places you’ll just have to stop by. Not sure where to start? Don’t worry! We have a few suggestions that will jumpstart your summer vacation!

The Texas Country Music Hall of Fame (pictured) opened in 1998 to honor and remember the contributions of Texans to country music. Encompassing 13,000 square feet of space, the hall features exhibits of individuals, living and dead, who are recognized nationally. While there, you can see monuments for inductees like Willie Nelson, Tex Ritter, and Gene Autry. With a large banquet room, the facility can accommodate large groups (up to 300) for lecture seating or catered dinners (up to 200). Inside you’ll find a gift shop, high ceilings with state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, and a commercial kitchen.

Another treasured structure of Carthage is The Leila B. LaGrone Family History Center. Originally purchased in 1891 and set up as the first permanent jail, the two-story structure was renovated in the 1980s by the Panola County Historical and Genealogical Association. With a shiny State Historical Medallion near the doorway, the History Center is one of the oldest structures in Carthage. Special collections include 16 volumes of Confederate soldiers, pioneer state ledgers, The Panola Watchman (1873 – 1990), and much more. An oral history archive (collected by students) consists of experiences from the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and more. You can hear first-hand accounts of major historical events via recordings dating back to 1986. The center also includes a Mini Law Enforcement and Pioneer Museum on the second floor.