Belton: Bell County Museum

Night view of a large building with sign saying Bell County Museum

Bell County Museum

Tall obelisk with star on top and sigh saying Bell County Museum

Chisholm Trail Monument

Cowboys enjoying a meal seated next to a chuckwagon

Lunchtime at the Matador Ranch, 1891 (Erwin E. Smith Collection, Amon Carter Museum or American Art)

Person cooking with cast iron utensils next to a chuckwagon

Camp cook at work (Library of Congress)

Colorized postcard of two men relaxing at a chuckwagon

Founded in 1850, Belton grew as a trading center for nearby farms and ranches. Its merchants made the city a favorite rest stop for cowboys herding longhorns up the Chisholm Trail. Visitors can explore exciting exhibits that document the county’s settlement and ranching history at the Bell County Museum, housed in part in the restored 1904 Carnegie Library. Out front, the Chisholm Trail Monument’s 17 bronze panels tell the  stories of little-known characters and describe the daily lives of the drovers.

Bell County Museum

  • Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 12 – 5 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Admission: None
  • 201 N. Main St., Belton, TX
  • 254-933-5243
  • Visit Website
  • National Register of Historic Places
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