Region: Prairies and Lakes
This town is near the site of a fierce battle that took place on Aug. 12,
1840. A volunteer force of settlers and Texas Rangers met a Comanche war party
and defeated them at what is called the Battle of Plum Creek. The present city
is named for Byrd Lockhart, a pioneer surveyor. The town was a southern terminus
of the Chisholm Trail in 1870s.
One of Texas' oldest Protestant churches, Emanuel Episcopal Church, was built
here in 1856 of stone and wood and is still in use as originally constructed
with only minor alterations. At Church and Walnut streets
The city is well known for its barbecue. The Texas Legislature has named
Lockhart the "Barbecue Capital of Texas," and an estimated 23,500 people each
week visit one of the city's four barbecue establishments.
The city's largest event, held annually during the second weekend in June, is
the Chisholm Trail Roundup BBQ and Music Festival. Other festivals include the
Rites of Spring in March, Speaking of the Dead in October, and a Dickens
Christmas and the Holiday Homes Tour in December.