Texans love Texas. With 268,000 square miles and every imaginable terrain and natural beauty dotted with things to do, in cities big and small, it’s daunting to decide where to grab a couple of getaway days. Our suggestion? Choose the destination with an epic, year-long birthday party. One that’s close to big cities but not their suburb, small, but with one of the largest historic, walkable downtowns around, a city that shows off its history with pride and vigor on street corners and stages, a small town first defined by an oil boom, now laced with artistic expression, and a place where people have a sense of caring and belonging, conjuring up one of Lyndon Johnson’s favorite phrases, “they know when you’re sick and they care when you die.”
It’s Corsicana, and its name alone defines the true grit and spirit here: Course-I-can! Corsicana’s year-long celebration honors its 175th birthday in 2023, and while there are more than 175 things to do in Corsicana any time of year, these special events are worth the trip this spring. A full schedule and details are at Corsicana175Years.com.
Texas Independence Day, March 2, will be honored at Pioneer Village, a historical attraction focusing on Navarro County from 1838 forward. The Texas Declaration of Independence, originally read by Richard Ellis, in 1836 will be reenacted by actor John S. Davies in a celebration from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. while a visit to the Village is a historical delight during any visit, with period buildings, furnishings and memorabilia.
One of the significant buildings in historic Downtown was built as the meeting place of the Original Order of Odd Fellows. Today, it is part of the Corsicana Artist and Writer Residency campus. Its installation of 125&175 in the Anteroom commemorates Corsicana’s 175 years with history from the 125-year-old Lodge before it became 100 West studios. Artifacts include lodge furnishings, ephemera, banners, performance props, and a 1/16 scale model of the Lodge as it was built in 1898 by historian Ron Maxfield. Viewable from the sidewalk through summer, 2023.
Corsicana’s rich history is represented in bronze statues on street corners, playing fields, government buildings, and soon, at a new park with the unveiling of the G.W. Jackson sculpture at Legacy Park, March 28, at 10:30 a.m. Jackson was a pioneer educator and principal of the first school for African American children in Corsicana. This will be the 17th bronze statue in Corsicana, and the first bronze representing a person of color. This will also be the only bronze in a sitting positing, depicting Jackson’s characteristic counseling style. The unveiling is organized by Corsicana’s Parks and Recreation Department and G.W. Jackson Multicultural Society.
The Pearce Museum participates in Corsicana’s celebrations with two notable exhibits: African American Education in Corsicana, on display through March 30, with photographs and documents from some of the important educators here; and the Texas Invitational Art Show & Sale, February 22 – March 23, featuring 24 Texas western artists, including three from Corsicana.
New outdoor mural additions in Art Alley joins the 175th party, with an official “ta-da” March 30 at 5:30. Once serving the famous Palace Theatre’s Vaudeville actors and performers, the Alley now plays home to seven murals and three new art expressions. The mural unveiling before The Ruthie Foster Show allows plenty of time to snap images for your ‘gram. The Palace Theatre, more than 100 years old, has its own history, and live performances here are unforgettable.
Adding a musical element, an outdoor concert, 175 Minutes of Music, will feature the Joel Sprayberry Trio and Two-Fold at Cassaro Winery and Tasting Room on Saturday, April 8, at 5 p.m.
The annual Derrick Days festival and tribute to the city’s oil history takes place annually the last weekend in April, drawing thousands who stroll the street vendors, hear the live bands, enjoy food trucks, shop at locally owned stores, have a growler or a glass at Downtown’s new imbibing spots, ride some dizzying rides, and watch some zany events—April 28–29.
Tour the grand neighborhood of the Carriage District to view homes built by Corsicana’s earliest city leaders and families, led by the Corsicana Preservation Foundation. The informative afternoon follows Downtown’s monthly Mimosas at the Market, Saturday, May 13.
Details on events, performances and celebrations throughout Corsicana all year are available at Corsicana175Years.com, along with places to dine and stay. The Visitor Center has custom Corsicana and 175 merchandise, part and parcel of any memorable trip. Corsicana is located one hour south of Dallas and one hour east of Waco, on I-45 and State Highway 31.
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