Industrial & heritage museums in Texas

Fort Bliss is a U.S. Army base located in the far west of Texas, near the Mexican border. Named after Lieutenant Colonel William Wallace Smith Bliss, the base is part of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). It covers approximately 4,500 km of terrain that extends over Texas and New Mexico, a size comparable to Rhode Island.

The Edison Museum, situated in Beaumont, Texas, is a unique destination dedicated to the life and inventions of Thomas Edison. It is located at 350 Pine St., within the premises of Edison Plaza. The museum offers a deep dive into the world of one of the greatest inventors in history, providing a comprehensive understanding of his life and work.

The Interurban Railway Museum, formerly known as the Plano Station, Texas Electric Railway, is a historic train station located at 901 E 15th Street in Plano, Texas. This museum is a testament to the rich history of the railway system in Texas, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The museum is housed in a building that was once a functioning train station, adding to its historical significance.

Marshall Station is a key transportation hub in Marshall, Texas. It is served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. The station operates the Texas Eagle route, which travels through Marshall daily. This service provides connections north to Chicago and west-southwest to Dallas, San Antonio, and Los Angeles. This makes the station a convenient starting point for tourists looking to explore other parts of the country.

The Yturri–Edmunds Historic Site is a significant historical location in San Antonio, Texas. It is recognized and listed on the National Register of Historic Places listings in Bexar County, Texas. This recognition underscores the site's historical importance and its contribution to the understanding of the region's past.

The American Wind Power Center, located in Lubbock, Texas, is a museum dedicated to wind power. It is situated on 28 acres of city park land to the east of downtown Lubbock. The museum boasts an exhibition of over 160 American style windmills, making it a unique destination for those interested in the history and technology of wind power.

The U Drop Inn, also known as Tower Station and U Drop Inn and Tower Café, is a historic building located in Shamrock, Texas. It was constructed in 1936 along the iconic Route 66 highway. This unique structure is a notable example of art deco architecture applied to a gas station and restaurant. The building features two flared towers with geometric detailing, curvilinear massing, glazed ceramic tile walls, and neon light accents.

The Museum of the American Railroad, previously known as the Age of Steam Railroad Museum, is a railroad museum located in Frisco, Texas. This museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history and evolution of the American railroad industry. It offers a unique opportunity for visitors to explore the rich history of railroads in the United States.

The Wichita Falls Railroad Museum housed an impressive collection of railroad artifacts. Among these were the Fort Worth and Denver Railway No. 304 steam locomotive and the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad ("Katy") diesel switcher 1029. The museum also showcased Commuter Cars, Pullman Troop Sleepers, Dining Cars, Post Office and Baggage Cars, Cabooses, and more, providing a comprehensive view of the historical railroad industry.

The Panhandle–Plains Historical Museum is a history museum situated on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, United States. This location is in a small city south of Amarillo. The museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history of the region in a convenient and accessible location.

The XIT Ranch, which the museum is named after, was a cattle ranch located in the Texas Panhandle. It was operational from 1885 to 1912, making it a significant part of the region's history. The ranch covered an impressive 3,000,000 acres or 12,000 square kilometers of land in the Great Plains.

The Texas Transportation Museum (TTM) in San Antonio, Texas, is a unique institution dedicated to preserving the rich transportation history of the city. Established in 1964, the museum houses a vast collection of artifacts and information that provide insights into the evolution of transportation in San Antonio. Visitors can explore a variety of exhibits that showcase the impact of transportation technology on daily life.

The Houston Fire Museum, also known as the Fire Museum of Houston, is a significant landmark located in the Midtown District of Houston, Texas. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to explore the history and evolution of firefighting in the region.

The Railroad and Transportation Museum of El Paso is a dedicated space for the exploration and understanding of the history and impact of railroads in El Paso, Texas, and the United States. It offers a unique opportunity to delve into the past and learn about the significant role that railroads played in shaping the region's history and development.

The Galveston Railroad Museum is located in the historic former Santa Fe Railroad station, situated at the intersection of 25th and Strand in Galveston, Texas. This location not only provides a unique setting for the museum but also adds a touch of historical significance to the overall experience of the visitors.

The Fire Museum of Texas is housed in a historic building that was once the Central Fire Station. This structure, built in 1927, is located in Beaumont, Texas. The building itself is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark and is a fine example of the Renaissance Revival architectural style.

The Texas Energy Museum, located in Beaumont, Texas, was established in 1987 with the aim of narrating the history of oil. The museum employs state-of-the-art exhibits, including talking robotic characters, to bring this story to life.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History is situated in the city's Cultural District at 1600 Gendy Street, Fort Worth, Texas 76107. This location is easily accessible and is surrounded by other cultural attractions, making it a convenient stop for tourists exploring the area.

The Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, situated in Beaumont, Texas, is a historical site that commemorates the discovery of oil at the Spindletop Hill salt dome on January 10, 1901. This significant event sparked an oil boom in Texas that continues to this day. The museum serves as a testament to this pivotal moment in history, offering visitors a glimpse into the past and the opportunity to learn about the oil industry's origins in Texas.

The Panhandle–Plains Historical Museum is a history museum situated on the campus of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, United States. This location is a small city located south of Amarillo. The museum offers a unique blend of history and culture, making it an interesting destination for tourists.

Texas is one of the most important oil-mining areas in the US and this museum focuses on production of this liquid in the region.

The Permian Basin Petroleum Museum, located in Midland, Texas, offers a comprehensive look into the oil and gas industry of the Permian Basin, which spans west Texas and southeast New Mexico. The museum's exhibits provide an in-depth understanding of the region's significant role in the petroleum industry.

Dick's Classic Garage, located in San Marcos, Texas, was an automobile museum established in 2009. The museum was the brainchild of Dick Burdick, a Texas businessman and avid car collector. Burdick's passion for automobiles was evident in the museum's extensive collection of classic cars.

The Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum is a unique attraction located in Galveston, Texas. The museum is dedicated to the offshore oil and gas industry, providing visitors with an in-depth look into this significant sector of the energy industry. It's an opportunity to learn about the history, technology, and impact of offshore drilling in a hands-on, interactive environment.

The largest museum in Texas focusing on the history of pharmacy, boasting a collection of more then 12,000 items over a century old.

The 20th Century Technology Museum is situated in Wharton, Texas, United States. It showcases a variety of technological advancements from the 20th century. The museum provides an opportunity for visitors to explore and understand the technological evolution that took place during this period.

Learn about eastern Texas Panhandle history spanning from Spanish conquistadores and Indian battles to railroads and oil booms.

Hidalgo is a desert town and the pump used to carry water to the fields to make them fertile. Great for engineering maniacs!

This museum focuses on several areas of interest, including oil mining and production, leather processing and Western culture.

The Red River Valley Museum is situated at 4600 College Drive, in the city of Vernon, within the county of Wilbarger, in the U.S. state of Texas. This location is easily accessible and provides a great opportunity for tourists to explore the rich history and culture of the region.