This historic seat of Grimes County was established in 1834 on the La Bahia Road, a centuries-old Native American trail that stretched from Louisiana through Texas. During the Civil War, a local arms factory produced cannons, cannon balls, rifles, pistols, swords and gunpowder. Today, it is a commercial center for a rich agricultural area. Surrounded by scenic hills and dotted with historic structures, this community also is home to the fully restored Grimes County Courthouse.