Center is nestled in the pine forests of East Texas. Three distinct areas can help you plan your visit: public parks, local history, and festival dates. You can decide whether to make park amenities, historical topics, or an event the focus of your stay. The specific park amenities and the festivals’ usual timing can help you match your interests with the relevant conditions and dates.
Parks and Trails in Center
The public park program includes two walking trails. One is the 0.25-mile multi-use trail in Center Park. The community park covers 45 acres and is located on Roughrider Drive. It also has a fishing pond with a pier. This gives you two distinct options for time in the park: a specific trail distance and a place to fish.
Center’s parks and their amenities and services are open to the public free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. If you’re planning a park visit, it’s best to check the conditions at the specific location before you go.
Portacool Park offers something different: a splash pad and an inclusive playground with accessible features. The splash pad operates seasonally. If you’re planning to visit it, check its operating dates beforehand. The two parks therefore differ in the amenities described: Center Park has a pond and multi-use trail, while Portacool Park has a splash pad and playground.
Local History and Historic Sites
The settlement that became Center was originally called White Cottage. A post office was established there on April 6, 1848. These early details are part of the town’s history, as is the Center courthouse, which was completed in November 1885 and still stands today.
The First United Methodist Church Cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Shelby County. The first burial there took place in 1861. The grounds include a flagstone path and several family burial plots enclosed by antique iron fences.
The Shelby County Museum is located at 230 Pecan Street in Center. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; check the details before you go. This gives you a specific address and a clear time window to plan a museum visit.
Festivals and Their Dates
The East Texas Poultry Festival celebrates Center’s poultry-producing tradition. The festival includes the annual 5K Chicken Trot. Arts-and-crafts booths are also a highlight, offering a wide variety of creative items. If you’re interested in attending, you can choose between the race and the booths as distinct parts of the festival.
The What-A-Melon Festival is usually held on the first weekend after July 4. This customary timing provides a rough guide for planning the year. Check the current dates for both events; for the East Texas Poultry Festival, it’s also a good idea to look at this year’s program. This gives you two different planning cues: the usual timing for the What-A-Melon Festival and, for the Poultry Festival, the Chicken Trot and arts-and-crafts booths, among other things.
Discover more destinations: Joaquin.
For the broader travel overview: Shelby County.
