From Indians and cowboys to leather and wineries, Nocona exemplifies all that is Texas. Nocona is named for the Comanche Warrior Chief Peta Nocona who, with his wife, Cynthia Ann Parker, were the parents of the famed Quanah Parker. The area’s distinguished Indian heritage extends back even before the Spanish exploration of Texas and the nearby Red River. Cowboys herded cattle along the Chisholm Trail through Nocona and the nearby Red River Station for crossing into Oklahoma. Supplying the cowboys with necessary goods like boots, belts and other leather goods spawned Nocona’s reputation as the “leather goods center of the southwest.”
Today boot making heritage in Nocona remains with the Fenoglio Boot Company manufacturing the Cavender’s brand Western Ware. Nokona baseball gloves are also manufactured here and a tour through its factory mirrors this all-American sport.
A new addition to Nocona, the city now hosts one of the largest classic car collections in Texas. Owned by Nocona businessman Pete Horton, the Horton Classic Car Museum houses a variety of makes and models representing a spectrum of car history, making Nocona the Classic Car Capital of Texas. Recently named in the Top 5 Most Fun Small Towns in America by Rand McNally, Nocona is sure to deliver a fun time for you and your family.
Things to do in Nocona TX
Nocona is a small city located in north-central Texas, known for its western heritage and outdoor recreational activities. Here are some of the top things to do in Nocona:
- Visit the Nocona Boot Company – a famous boot company that has been making handmade boots for over 100 years. Visitors can take a tour of the factory and purchase boots.
- Explore the Tales ‘N’ Trails Museum – a museum that features exhibits on the history of Nocona, including Native American artifacts, cowboy gear, and vintage cars.
- Go fishing at Lake Nocona – a lake that offers fishing for catfish, bass, and crappie. Visitors can also enjoy boating and water skiing on the lake.
- Attend a rodeo at the Nocona Arena – a rodeo arena that hosts rodeos, barrel races, and other western events.
- Take a tour of the Horton Classic Car Museum – a museum that features over 100 classic cars and trucks from the 1920s to the 1970s.
- Visit the Leather Works Museum – a museum that features exhibits on the history of leatherworking in Nocona, including tools, equipment, and finished products.
- Go golfing at the Nocona Hills Golf Club – a golf course that features 18 holes and scenic views of the surrounding countryside.
- Explore the Nocona Nature Trail – a hiking trail that winds through the woods and along the banks of the Nocona Creek.
- Attend the Nocona Chisholm Trail Days – an annual event that celebrates the city’s western heritage with a parade, rodeo, and other activities.
- Visit the Red River Valley Veterans Memorial – a memorial that honors the men and women who have served in the military, located on the shores of Lake Nocona.