The legacy of Ol’ Rip in Eastland, Texas
Eastland is a small rural town in central West Texas that’s home to one of the most famous horned frogs in the world. Located between Abilene and Fort Worth, Eastland grew rapidly in the 1880s after the arrival of the Texas and Pacific Railway, building new courthouses, banks and churches that are still part of the community over a century later. In the late 1920s, the city saw national attention after the discovery of “Ol’ Rip,” a tripedal horned toad that survived a 31-year hibernation in the Eastland County Courthouse. The old legend even inspired the creation of the Looney Tunes character, Michigan J. Frog. Today, the town continues to commemorate its most famous reptile through local events and landmarks while giving residents plenty to do between its recreational amenities and historic downtown. “My kids have grown up in Eastland, and I really love living in a small community where I know my kids’ friends, their parents and teachers,” says Brittni Boykin, a local resident and Realtor with EXP Realty. “You don’t really get that in a bigger city.”
Nearby lakes, local parks and a historical theater
Eastland is located between many lakes and streams around the rolling plains. Lake Leon is roughly 10 miles southeast and has campgrounds, RV parks and boat ramps. It’s a popular spot for largemouth bass fishing. Lake Eastland is over 2 miles northwest and is next to a tiny home community with cabins and vacation rentals. Ringling Lake is a little farther north and has a park with dirt trails for off-road biking and ATV riding.
In town, Eastland City Park offers playgrounds and picnic areas. The park also has the city pool, which has water slides and a splash pad. Youth sporting events take place at the Eastland Baseball Complex. Ol’ Rip’s casket can be found at the Eastland County Courthouse, and there are a couple of museums and historic churches around town. The Majestic Theatre, built in the 1920s, shows the latest movie releases. “They have one movie at one showtime for the whole weekend,” Boykin says. “It adds to the charm of the area.”
Mexican restaurants, cafes and supermarkets
There are several restaurants and shops along Main Street. La Hacienda is a Mexican restaurant that serves carne guisada, chicken flautas and margaritas, and Red Star Cafe has breakfast plates that include omelets, chicken fried steak and buttermilk pancakes. Bear Creek Taphouse is popular for its steak frites and fish and chips, while Love Oak Pharmacy also has a cafe with a self-serve frozen yogurt bar. There's a Bealls, Burkes Outlet and Goodwill farther east by the interstate and a few local businesses that include Hip Chick Boutique and Greer's Western Store. Groceries are available at Brookshire’s, Walmart and El Clarin Market.
Early American homes and million-dollar properties
Homes reflect a range of architecture, such as traditional, Craftsman, Early American and ranch-style. “Real estate is all over the board,” Boykin says. “You have older homes from the ‘30s that were completely remodeled, and you have some newer builds in the million-dollar range.” Fixer-upper properties less than 1,700 square feet cost $30,000 to $100,000. Brick or stone houses with covered patios and two-car garages can have quarter-acre to 3-acre lots and range between $100,000 and $300,000. Farmhouse-style homes with open floor plans and private yards range from $400,000 to $500,000. New traditional homes are also being built in the Colony Parks development, with prices ranging between $150,000 and $185,000.
Three schools in Eastland ISD
Eastland Independent School District serves over 1,000 students in the county and earns a B-plus on Niche. Siebert Elementary School teaches kindergarten through fifth grade, while Eastland Middle School has a Gifted and Talented program. Both schools have B ratings. Eastland High School earns an A-minus and has a 95% graduation rate.
Let it Rip for RipFest
The Rip’s Ribs Cookoff takes place in April and brings food trucks, Texas wine and jazz musicians to the downtown square. RipFest celebrates Eastland’s mascot in October with a parade, 5K and car show featuring vintage vehicles. The Eastland Farmers’ Market is held every Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. and offers locally grown produce and baked goods.
Texas highways and rural transportation
Interstate 20 runs along Eastland’s south side and leads over 50 miles west to Abilene and over 90 miles east to Fort Worth. Texas State Highway 6 cuts through town and connects to Cisco and Carbon over 9 miles away. The Eastland Memorial Hospital in town is open 24 hours, and the City and Rural Rides Transit provides public transportation around town and to Abilene, Breckenridge, Brownwood and Comanche. The DFW International Airport is around 116 miles northeast.
