OUR HOMES
Our Town
DISCOVER THE HISTORY
Visit Pittsburg and discover the history, fame, culture, and friendly atmosphere it offers. Find out why this small town is quickly the best-kept secret in Texas.
Heritage Park Museum of East Texas
Famous Faces
Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim
Lonnie "Bo" Pilgrim founded Pilgrim's Pride which at one time was the largest chicken producer in the United States. In 1946 he opened a feed store (current home of The Anvil Brewery) with his older brother, Aubrey. He became the CEO of the company upon the death of his brother Aubrey in 1966. Bo was an extraordinary Christian businessman who credits God with his success. He built the beautiful Prayer Tower in downtown Pittsburg, a point of interest for most visitors.
Caroll Shelby
Caroll Shelby was an American automotive designer, racing driver, and entrepreneur. Shelby is best known for his involvement with the AC Cobra and Mustang (later known as Shelby Mustangs) for Ford Motor Company, which he modified during the late 1960s and early 2000s. He established Shelby American Inc. in 1962 to manufacture and market performance vehicles, as well as Carroll Shelby Licensing in 1988 which grew into Caroll Shelby International.
James Cavender
James R. Cavender opened a small burger restaurant called the Dairy Hart in the small East Texas town of Pittsburg. Eight years later, Cavender decided to open a clothing store "Cavender & Smith's." A year later, Cavender bought out his partner and renamed the store as "Cavender's." By the mid-seventies, there were 5 Cavender's stores and by 1981 the name was changed to "Cavender's Boot City". The brand consists of over 80 stores, which sell traditional and modern-style hats, boots, clothing, and home décor.
Historical Places
Ezekiel Airship
In 1902, the Ezekiel Airship was flown in Pittsburg, Texas, a year before the Wright Flyer flew at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The flight took place in the presence of only a handful of witnesses who allegedly took an oath of silence. It is held at The Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Center and Museum which is located in a former Cotton Belt railroad depot that was built in 1901. It includes documents and photographs of local and regional historical interest, including artifacts that date from Pittsburg's foundation in 1854.
Anvil Brewery
Byron and Kristin Aldredge have converted the long-shuttered Pilgrim's Pride Feed Store at 115 Compress in Pittsburg into the Anvil Brewing brewpub and dance hall. The 100-year-old building, vacant since 1961 was updated by the owners. The upstairs dance hall is 3,000 square feet can seat 273 customers. The Anvil Pub serves a variety of dishes, five craft beers on tap, and features live music Friday and Saturday nights.
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Prayer Tower
The Prayer Tower, made of Indiana limestone with a Vermont slate roof, features a chapel and a 75-foot tower with four Paccard bells from France. It was dedicated to the city April 1992. The tower is surrounded with beautiful landscaping and a gurgling fountain and life-size bronze showing Jesus washing Peter's feet. This small chapel is open to the public and inside has three long pews and a prayer altar. Four stained glass windows depict various scenes of the life of Jesus. The bells chime and play hymns on the hour.
Standouts
Koe Wezel
Resting comfortably between the swagger of bro-country and the punch of rootsy rock & roll, Koe Wetzel is a singer and songwriter from Texas who rose quickly from obscurity to become one of the most popular acts on the Lone Star State's country scene. Wetzel was born in the East Texas town of Pittsburg on July 14, 1992. He picked up his interest in music from his mother, who was a singer and brought young Koe on the road with her; he sang onstage with her for the first time when he was just six years old.
Cole Hefner
Joseph "Cole Hefner", is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, first elected in 2016 to represent the 5th District. Hefner handily won a second legislative term in the general election held on November 6, 2018. With 44,264 votes (79.3 percent), he defeated the Democrat, Bill Liebbe.
Kendall Wright
Kendall Thomas Wright (born November 12, 1989) is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Baylor, where he is the career leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Wright was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round, 20th overall, of the 2012 NFL Draft. Wright attended Pittsburg High School in Pittsburg, Texas, where he was a three-sport standout that earned All-state honors in football, basketball, and track.