Decatur (Texas)

Decatur is a small town in the Cross Timbers region of Texas. It is the county seat of Wise County. == Get in == Decatur is on US 287 about 30 minutes northwest of Fort Worth, and on US 380 between Bridgeport and Denton. == Get around == == See == 1 El Castile (Waggoner Mansion), 1005 E Main St. A fine example of Victorian masonry architecture, this beautiful limestone mansion was built in 1883 by cattle baron Dan Waggoner. It remains in private hands today, so it can only be viewed from the street. (updated Nov 2020) Petrified Wood Gas Station, 100 S. US Highway 21 (corner of Business 287 and Hale Ave.). It was built in 1927 and then whimsically covered in petrified wood in 1935. This old Texaco station looks like something straight out of the Flintstones. 2 Wise County Courthouse, 101 N Trinity St (on the town square), ☏ +1 940 627-5743. This 1895 pink granite structure is one of the state's most beautiful courthouses. (updated Jan 2026) Wise County Heritage Museum, 1602 S. Trinity St, ☏ +1 940 627-5586, wisemuseum@embarqmail.com. M-Sa 10AM-3PM. Housed in what remains of a former junior college built in the early 1890s, this museum has many artifacts from local residents over the ages. Adults $1, children $.50. == Do == == Buy == The charming old town square of Decatur has many antique shops and other quaint little stores and cafés. == Eat == Catfish O'harlies, 1019 N Highway 287, ☏ +1 940 626-4595. A great place to try southern breaded catfish. Whistle Stop Café, South US 287/Business Loop 81, ☏ +1 940 627-7785. Home-style breakfast and lunch in the rustic atmosphere of a rock-faced building constructed in 1929. == Drink == == Sleep == Holiday Inn Express Hotel, 1051 N. Hwy. 81/287, ☏ +1 940 627-0776. Clean. Outdoor pool and hot tub. $76 (Jan 2022). Rodeway Inn, 1507 US-287, ☏ +1 940 627-6262. Pets OK. It has a wood paneled indoor pool area which is quite becoming. $50 (Jan 2022). Super 8 by Wyndham Decatur TX, 1709 US-287, ☏ +1 940-910-2210. Unsophisticated lobby furniture. == Connect == == Go next ==