Heritage Home Tour
Vintage Bungalows on Old Buggy Trails
2024 Home Tour Weekend in Historic San Marcos
Save the dates for Saturday and Sunday, May 4-5
and plan to attend the 2024 Heritage Home Tour: Vintage Bungalows on Old Buggy Trails Tours will be offered from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. on both days. Click the button below to purchase your advance ticket through our online store for just $25 (Discounted ticket available for docents and children) View/Print Home Tour Poster (PDF) |
More about the 2024 Home Tour . . .
The Heritage Association of San Marcos has long been known for its historic home tour. It is one of the oldest in Texas, traditionally held on the first weekend in May. While many similar events failed to return after the pandemic, this one has not only continued, but is continuing to grow.
On May 4-5, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., guests of the 47th Annual Heritage Home Tour will again be able to step back in time, as they view renovated historic structures in this picturesque Central Texas town. However, houses this year are only part of the story, as the tour will spotlight both the history of San Marcos itself, and frontier transportation.
Accordingly, this year’s theme is entitled “Vintage Bungalows on Old Buggy Trails." Tourgoers will experience historic houses, roadside relics from a bygone era, and even a roaming horsedrawn buckboard for a real Texas feel. Spread around the town’s seven historic districts are carriage blocks, barns, hitching rails, and carriage turns along winding streets that began as dirt horse trails. These were essential to daily life during the 1800’s and beyond, and they are still here . . . but unless someone points them out, they are easy to miss.
This year’s six homes are vintage smaller properties, each with its own unique charm and historical significance. Along the roads between them, you’ll see not only historic mansions (some of which are already slated for next year’s tour), but also costumed docents bringing buggy stories and other fun facts right to your car window. As a house fan’s bonus, top off the historic district circuit with a five-minute ride “out west” of town to visit two beautiful contemporary show houses in the upscale La Cima community.
This year’s event won’t end with history and architecture. In true Heritage Association style, this is also a gastronomic happening! Come hungry, and sample delectable treats along the way. Start with gourmet coffee and fragrant breakfast pastries at the first stop, the newly renovated and refurbished Charles S. Cock House, home of an 1850’s city father. There you can also pick out something wonderful and homemade at an old-fashioned bake sale.
At the Ulysses Cephas house, home of a beloved and quite essential blacksmith, sample the classic “tea cakes” that were served at many early gatherings. At another stop, enjoy lemonade and cookies in a sprawling hillside garden as you listen to live classical music. At Wonder World’s 1903 rock cabin, have a cup of ice cream as you hear colorful tales from this iconic theme park’s 120 year history, and ride up to the top of their towering observation deck. (Be sure to request your discounted tickets for a return visit to its storied cave.) And finally, after making your “idea house” wishlist at La Cima, head back to the historic district and popular Palmer’s courtyard restaurant, where in rocking chairs beside the fountain, you’ll relax with complimentary spritzers and appetizers.
Tickets for the self-guided event are available for $25 per person in advance, either through our online store or at the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce office. Don't wait until the day of the tour when prices increase to $30 (half price for children). Seize this opportunity to glimpse life in 19th century Central Texas while helping save irreplaceable historic properties. Plan now to share this time with us as we celebrate the past, present, and future during this 47th Annual Home Tour, when history will again come to life in old San Marcos.
On May 4-5, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., guests of the 47th Annual Heritage Home Tour will again be able to step back in time, as they view renovated historic structures in this picturesque Central Texas town. However, houses this year are only part of the story, as the tour will spotlight both the history of San Marcos itself, and frontier transportation.
Accordingly, this year’s theme is entitled “Vintage Bungalows on Old Buggy Trails." Tourgoers will experience historic houses, roadside relics from a bygone era, and even a roaming horsedrawn buckboard for a real Texas feel. Spread around the town’s seven historic districts are carriage blocks, barns, hitching rails, and carriage turns along winding streets that began as dirt horse trails. These were essential to daily life during the 1800’s and beyond, and they are still here . . . but unless someone points them out, they are easy to miss.
This year’s six homes are vintage smaller properties, each with its own unique charm and historical significance. Along the roads between them, you’ll see not only historic mansions (some of which are already slated for next year’s tour), but also costumed docents bringing buggy stories and other fun facts right to your car window. As a house fan’s bonus, top off the historic district circuit with a five-minute ride “out west” of town to visit two beautiful contemporary show houses in the upscale La Cima community.
This year’s event won’t end with history and architecture. In true Heritage Association style, this is also a gastronomic happening! Come hungry, and sample delectable treats along the way. Start with gourmet coffee and fragrant breakfast pastries at the first stop, the newly renovated and refurbished Charles S. Cock House, home of an 1850’s city father. There you can also pick out something wonderful and homemade at an old-fashioned bake sale.
At the Ulysses Cephas house, home of a beloved and quite essential blacksmith, sample the classic “tea cakes” that were served at many early gatherings. At another stop, enjoy lemonade and cookies in a sprawling hillside garden as you listen to live classical music. At Wonder World’s 1903 rock cabin, have a cup of ice cream as you hear colorful tales from this iconic theme park’s 120 year history, and ride up to the top of their towering observation deck. (Be sure to request your discounted tickets for a return visit to its storied cave.) And finally, after making your “idea house” wishlist at La Cima, head back to the historic district and popular Palmer’s courtyard restaurant, where in rocking chairs beside the fountain, you’ll relax with complimentary spritzers and appetizers.
Tickets for the self-guided event are available for $25 per person in advance, either through our online store or at the San Marcos Chamber of Commerce office. Don't wait until the day of the tour when prices increase to $30 (half price for children). Seize this opportunity to glimpse life in 19th century Central Texas while helping save irreplaceable historic properties. Plan now to share this time with us as we celebrate the past, present, and future during this 47th Annual Home Tour, when history will again come to life in old San Marcos.