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 Texas : Towns A-Z / Central Texas South : Elgin

ELGIN, TEXAS

Sausage Capital of Texas

Bastrop County, Central Texas S
Hwy 290
25 miles E of Austin
16 miles S of Taylor on Hwy 95
17 miles N of Bastrop on Hwy 95 & 290
Population: 5,700 (2000)

Elgin Hotels

Elgin TX - 1906 P. Bassist Bldg

One of the historical brick buildings in Elgin
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Like the bumper sticker says: Enjoy Austin, live in Elgin.

This is a tranquil town famous for it's sausage and bricks. Long ago Elginites decided sausage was definitely more flavorful and easier on the teeth. Four companies now try to keep Texas supplied with "hot guts". The Texas Legislature named Elgin as the "Sausage Capital of Texas."


Elgin was a railroad town with as many as 20 trains a day coming through. Preservation efforts are underway on restoring both the passenger and freight stations. Before everyone had a car, Elginites would charter whole trains for picnics in New Braunfel's Landa Park.

The Elgin Post Office has a "WPA" mural, and a good one at that.

City Hall is located in the beautiful Nofzinger House at 310 North Main. 512-285-5721.

The wide main street and many historic brick buildings (they made bricks, remember?) have provided movie companies with a backdrop for contemporary and period films.

The Chamber has an excellent brochure "Heritage Walking Tour". Take a stroll in historic downtown and enjoy the gift and antique shops and restaurants along the way. Don't forget the Elgin Antique Mall with more than 50 dealers on Hwy 290. Drive around town to see the beautiful old homes.

The annual Hogeye Festival is on the fourth Saturday of October.

Elgin Hotels > Visiting Elgin? Book Your Hotel Here & Save
Elgin PO Mural detail
Elgin Post Office Mural - "Texas Farm" by Julius Woeltz
TE Photo, 2009
Elgin, Texas - Elgin City Hall, Nofsinger House

Elgin City Hall - Nofsinger House at 310 North Main.
Photo courtesy Barclay Gibson
Elgin, Texas - Nofsinger House Historical Marker

Nofsinger House Historical Marker
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Elgin TX - Freight Depot

Elgin Depot | See Texas Railroads
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Union Depot, Elgin, Texas, early 1900s
Elgin Union Depot | More Texas Depots
Early 1900s photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
Elgin TX - Miller Bros. Building

Miller Bros. Building
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Elgin TX - Star Tobacco Ghost Sign

Star Tobacco Ghost Sign | More Ghost Signs
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Elgin TX - Sunday Morning  Street Scene

Sunday Morning in Elgin
Photo courtesy William Beauchamp, July 2009

Cotton wagons on Main Street looking South, Elgin Texas
Same street in 1912.
Postcard courtesy Will Beauchamp. More Texas Then & Now
Public school, Elgin, Texas, early  1900s
Public School in Elgin | More Texas Schoolhouses
Early 1900s photo courtesy texasoldphotos.com
How Elgin Got Its Name by C. F. Eckhardt
In Elgin they’ll tell you the town was named for a Mister Elgin... If you ask the members of the Shadetree Historical Society, they’ll give you a version of Elgin’s naming that has nothing to do with a Mr. Elgin. They’ll tell you the original name of the place was Helgin—derived from ‘Hell again.’... more

Elgin Nearby Destinations

  • 7 miles north on Hwy 95 to Coupland. It's worth a visit. You would think that you have entered a one street movie set. Another 9 miles on Hwy 95 will take you to Taylor
  • Bastrop - 17 miles south on Hwy 95
  • Austin - Austin Hotels
  • Elgin Hotels
  • Bastrop Hotels
  • Elgin Tourist Information

    Elgin Chamber of Commerce
    15 North Main, Elgin, TX78621.
    512-285-4514
    website: www.elgintx.com

    Visiting Elgin? Book Your Hotel Here & Save:
    Elgin Hotels


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