Corsicana, located about 46 miles northeast of Waco, was founded in 1848 and named after the Mediterranean Island of Corsica, the birthplace of Corsicana’s founder’s father. Although this town boasts only about 25,000 residents, it has multiple claims to fame. Not only was Wolf Brand Chili founded in Corsicana, it was also the birthplace of the Sanger-Harris department stores, which eventually split off to become Macy’s and Foley’s department stores. And that’s not all. Petroleum Park, located just outside of downtown Corsicana, commemorates Texas’ first commercial discovery of oil. Talk about some neat claims to fame!
Nowadays Corsicana is a unique Texas town that is fun to explore for a day or a weekend. From museums to parks and shops to historic sites, Corsicana offers up a lot of ways to entertain visitors. If you’re looking to escape to the countryside and immerse yourself in small town Texas, Corsicana might be just the spot for you. Here are several fun ways to enjoy Corsicana, Texas.
Five fun things to do in Corsicana, Texas
- Grab a glass of wine at Navarro County’s first and only vineyard and winery. Angelita Vineyard & Winery is located just outside of Corsicana and offers guests glasses of wine, wine tastings, flights, pairings and more. Sit back and relax with a glass of red, white or sparkling while you enjoy the sights and sounds of Texas.
- Go bird hunting on nearly 800 acres of land. Upland Bird Country has a variety of birds for hunters of all skill levels. From quail to pheasant and more, Upland Bird Country is open Mid-October to Mid-March from dawn until dusk. Bring your canine friends, human friends and anyone else who enjoys bird hunting!
- Make history come alive at Navarro College. The Pearce Museum has a myriad of artifacts dating back to the Civil War and before that will impress history buffs and novices alike. Located on the Navarro College campus, the Pearce Museum has a number of exhibits and artifacts as well as loads of western art to keep guests interested and learning during their visit.
- Embark on the Corsicana Bronze Statue Tour and learn about some of the town’s most iconic inhabitants. Head out around town and scope out some of the area’s most notable residents through the decades. Head to the website linked above for an audio tour that will give you more information about each statue to help you appreciate the significance and meaning behind each bronze statue.
- Engage with Corsicana’s history at Petroleum Park. Featuring a 1923 wooden jail, a historic blacksmith site, a historic oil derrick and more, Petroleum Park will take you back in time. The park was dedicated in 1990 and meant to commemorate the site of Texas’ first claim to oil fame discovered at this very site while workers were drilling for water in 1894. Corsicana is consequently known as the “Birthplace of the Texas Oil Industry.” Cool!
Corsicana lodging
Just about 20 miles up the road in Ennis, you’ll find Ennis Luxury RV, the perfect spot to call home while you’re visiting nearby Corsicana. Ennis Luxury RV is just 28 miles south of Dallas and right around the corner from beloved gas station Buccee’s. Visitors to this RV park can enjoy the swimming pool, dog park, meeting rooms and more. You’ll come here for the prime location and stay for the upscale feel of this luxury RV park.