Track to the Future
The Northeast Texas Trail (NETT), the stretch of 130 miles of banked rail bed from Farmersville to New Boston, started out as a major shipping route for cattle and bois d’arc posts. Over time, the tracks were put out of service, but they’re still active for anyone who’s feeling a bit active themselves. Originally laid through the Red River Valley around 1870, rail lines such as the Chaparral, the Gulf, Colorado & Santa Fe, the Texas and Pacific, the Missouri Pacific Railroad and the Union Pacific Railroad made their way through 19 towns and seven counties. The same way people migrate toward water, settlers moved to be near the transportation provided by the railroad, and some of these towns still dot the length of the trail, which is beneficial to tourists or cyclists. This is now an active transportation trail that can be experienced only on bike, on foot or on horseback.
In 1983, the National Trails Act and Rail Banking System gave railroad companies the opportunity to sell, donate or lease rail lines they no longer need, which the Union Pacific and Chaparral railroad companies took advantage of in the 1990s. The tracks between Farmersville and New Boston are now in the hands of the Northeast Texas Trail Coalition, whose goal is “to secure Texas Parks & Wildlife Department’s designation of the Northeast Texas Trail as a linear State Park.”
To reach this goal, Earl Erickson (president of the NETT Coalition), says the NETT should “richly enhance the quality of living for everyone — those who actively use the trail, the communities along the trail, and trail visitors.” There are plenty of chances for this to happen for visitors and residents alike, whether through shopping in antique boutiques like those in historic Onion Shed or geocaching in the naturally beautiful forests or fields along the trail.
The terrain of the trail varies and is ideal for avid cyclists, and the NETT website features an interactive map that shows all of the towns along the way, the condition and distance of the trail between towns, lodging, attractions and events — everything you might need to plan your trek along the trail.
SURFING THE NETT: The Onion Shed was built by the railroads for shipping Collin Co. Sweets. In 1925, local farmers began planting onion crops, and, by 1935, Farmersville was known as the “Onion Capital of North Texas.” It’s now home to farmers and flea markets
Thirty-five miles northeast of Dallas, the trail begins in Farmersville. This quaint town offers tourists a piece of 1930s living at the Onion Shed, which serves as the location for the Farmers & Fleas Market held the first Saturday of each month. Chaparral Trail Head/Audie Murphy Trail Head is located downtown, making it easy to take advantage of the local culture before hitting the trail. The Chaparral Trail extends five miles to the east from the trail head. The NETT continues through Merit, Celeste, Wolfe City and Ladonia. Each of these towns make for great stops to rest and refuel. Cyclists and visitors are sure to receive a Texas-sized welcome in towns along the trail.
When you reach Paris you’ll be treated to a scenic paved route that runs for just over three miles from town, the Trail de Paris. This portion of the trail is lined with shady trees, benches, viewing platforms, mile markers and interpretive signs, and members of the PJC Art League have decorated trash cans that are on display along the trail to add a little artistic flare to Mother Nature’s handiwork. This portion of the trail connects with the Reno Rail Trail and extends another five miles, but before heading out you should take advantage of the history of Paris.
The Sam Bell Maxey House State Historic Site is a high Victorian-Italianate style home built in 1868 and was the family residence of Sam Bell Maxey, the Mexican War veteran, Confederate general and two-term U.S. Senator. And you can’t leave Paris without visiting the Eiffel Tower. This one is 75-feet tall and topped with a red Stetson hat.
Visitors to Paris — Texas, that is — won’t want to miss the famous Eiffel Tower.
Downtown Paris remains home to the century-old courthouse, which was almost completely destroyed with the rest of downtown by fire in 1916 but has since been restored. Learn the story behind the fire while you’re there, and visit the Culbertson Fountain, built in 1924 to commemorate the city’s rebirth. Don’t forget your pocketbook to do a little shopping around the square before you leave for the next town.
When you hit New Boston, you have reached what City Councilman David Turner calls “the Trail Head.” The Trail Head Park is full of community events throughout the year, including what Turner calls the “hottest Pioneer Day Festival,” since it takes place in August. But that doesn’t keep the hearty Bostonians away. A new museum is in the works: a replica of the New Boston Depot to be located in the park. It will tell the story of the three Bostons and the railroads’ impact on Bowie County.
Take time this summer to get moving out on the trail.
