Center, Texas

Posted by Ilija Sekulov on May 31st, 2019

Overview

Other people might think Center is a lazy, nondescript way of naming a city after its geographical location. Nonetheless, there’s no better way to name the city smack right in the middle of Shelby County. The county seat is situated near the Louisiana border, and can be considered nearer to Louisiana than the state’s own central location.

Fast Facts

•          Center first started as a community in 1856, when Jesse Amason and the Wilson couple donated a piece of their land for the town.

•          A decade after the piece was donated, the city was voted as the new county seat of Shelby. The residents stole some of the county records and transferred the loot to Center, which permanently established the city as the county seat.

•          In 1882, Center’s courthouse was burned to the ground, and was eventually replaced by the Irish Castle. Today, JJE Gibson’s work still remains as one of Center’s top attractions.

Best Hotel Accommodations

The city is all about the perfect location. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites is truly a hotel to look up to in Texas. Its grand scale houses more than a hundred luxurious rooms, a fully equipped spa center, a massive outdoor pool, a whirlpool spa and event areas with a huge floor space. Its prime location brings guests closer to Downtown Center, the Shelby County Museum, the Center Country Club, and the Irish Castle. Guests will be staying till morning with the renowned Downtown Center entertainment district being in close proximity to the hotel. Just nearby is Whalen’s Fine Dining Restaurant, which serves sumptuous seafood and other fine dining fare. Guests can head to the Loft Bar for after dinner drinks and tête-à-tête. Other strategically positioned hotels include the Best Western Plus, Hampton Inn & Suites, Iley Motel, and the Super 8 Center. Book your Center Hotels with Reservations.com.

Tourist Attractions

Some of Center’s best known attractions include the Toledo Bend Reservoir, Center Country Club, Shelby County Museum, and the Irish Castle. Among all these, nothing beats Shelby County Courthouse. The establishment has a dozen chimneys surrounding and decorating the 1885 courthouse. The unusual setting was designed by Irish architect J.J.E. Gibson, who wanted to recreate the castles native in his country. It is the only remaining courthouse of Irish architecture in the country.

When to Visit

The Poultry and Watermelon Festival is held every year throughout the county. The main catch of Center’s annual Poultry Festival is the Pageant, wherein dazzling high school seniors participate for the crown and some prize money. The Poultry Festival Queen presides over the three day affair. Apart from the Poultry Festival Pageant, the county also hosts an annual Miss Shelby County Pageant. The beauty contest is open to all of the county’s young ladies, in preteen, junior teen, teen, and Miss Queen categories. The winner gets to represent the city and the county in the year long events. The What A Melon Festival held annually also hosts its own beauty pageant during the month of July. Though these are all fun to watch, tourists participate in the annual festivities for the food fare, live music, and carnival fun.