Clifton is the artsy, historic “Norwegian Capital of Texas”
The artsy, historic city of Clifton is known as the “Norwegian Capital of Texas” in honor of its early settlers. The largest city in Bosque County celebrates its heritage and creativity with annual events and attractions like the Bosque Museum and the Bosque Arts Center. “It’s a small community but a very lively town,” says Realtor Amanda Alley of Alley Home & Land, who has over a decade of local real estate experience. “We have more artists per capita here than anywhere else that I’m aware of, and tons of history. It’s a very active, vibrant, social place – and one where I don’t even lock my truck.”
Single-family homes sell for below the national median
Cottages, Craftsmans, New Traditionals and ranch-style homes line wide, gridded streets. Mesquites, oaks and pecan trees shade large backyards and broad front lawns. Prices start under $100,000 and rise to nearly $440,000. According to the National Association of Realtors, Clifton’s median sale price, about $180,000, is well below the national median of $422,400.
Winters here are mild, as average lows don’t typically fall below 32 degrees; summers are hot, with high temperatures averaging in the mid-to-upper 90s. The North Bosque River is prone to flooding, and Bosque County is vulnerable to tornadoes.
FallFest, Fireworks on the Bosque and other annual Clifton events
“We have a ton of events, tourists come in by the busload for them,” Alley says. In October, FallFest brings folks downtown for artisan and craft vendors, cornhole tournaments, the Nellie Pederson Civic Library’s annual book sale, live music and more. Local churches also host events. Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in the Norse Historic District hosts the annual Nors Smorgasbord, a traditional Norwegian dinner served by costumed volunteers. Zion Church at Womack does a similar annual dinner on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. In December, the Norwegian Country Christmas Tour celebrates Clifton’s heritage and the holiday season with tours of historic homes and churches. The city’s Independence Day celebration, Fireworks on the Bosque, involves live music and fireworks over the river. Other annual events include a springtime Easter egg hunt and the Bosque Tor de Norway bike ride, part of the European Tour of Texas multi-ride series. There’s also the Bosque Art Classic, an annual art show and sale put on by the Bosque Arts Center Council.
Shopping and dining in historic downtown Clifton
The low-slung, vintage buildings downtown are filled with art galleries, small businesses and boutiques. The Market at the Mill, in the renovated Dansby Feed Mills buildings, features an event space and a shop with clothing, home goods and handmade items. Clifton’s Art Alley is an outdoor mural walk featuring works by local artists. Restaurants scattered throughout the historic district include casual, family-owned spots like Breaking Bread Bakery & Deli and upscale eateries like Olaf’s Restaurant & Bar. Alley also recommends the Corner Drug Café, an old-timey soda fountain and coffee shop. Corner Drug is the only place in Clifton to grab a cappuccino. For groceries, there’s a Brookshire’s and a David’s on State Road 6.
Above average Clifton Independent School District
Clifton Independent School District earns a B-plus from Niche. The small school system serves just over 1,000 students across three schools: B-rated Clifton Elementary, B-plus-rated Clifton Middle and A-minus-rated Clifton High. Controlled interdistrict open enrollment is available. Clifton High offers business and industry and public service career-prep programs. Dual enrollment classes at Texas State Technical College and McLennan Community College are also available.
Outdoor recreation at Clifton parks, from City Park to Olsen Park
The city owns four parks: Cockrell-Thiele Park, Dahl Park, Olsen Park and City Park. Cockrell-Thiele Park is a playground with a walking path. Dahl Park has a shady green space with picnic areas. City Park offers river access points, picnic areas and nature trails, as well as playgrounds, disc golf and a dog park. Olsen Park features a playground, a walking trail and athletic courts. The Olsen Park Pool is the only public swimming pool in Bosque County. Clifton ISD sports teams play at the nearby Clifton Athletic Complex, and events like the Central Texas Youth Fair, the Clifton Rodeo, stock shows and sales are held at the Clifton Fairgrounds.
State Road 6 connects around rural Bosque County
State Road 6 connects to Waco, just under 40 miles from Clifton. The Waco Regional Airport is less than 35 miles away, and international airports in the Austin-Bergstrom and Dallas-Fort Worth areas are less than 130 miles away. Goodall Witcher Hospital, a top local employer, is within a couple of miles of most homes on the southwest side of town. The Heart of Texas Rural Transit District, or HOTRTD, provides demand-response public transportation service in Bosque County.
