Alto is a small suburban town in Cherokee County. With only a little more than 1,000 residents and less than 2 square miles of land, it’s a mere speck on the map in the vast expanse of Texas. But even though its size may be small, it has an essential link to the state: Alto is where the state’s name was coined. We Americanized the word “Texas” from the Spanish “Tejas,” but that word derives from the Caddo word “Taysha,” which means friend. None other than the Caddo, the Alto area’s first Native American settlers, gave us our state name.

The Caddo had numerous tribes here and were an integral part of a thriving, peaceful community along a trail that became Old San Antonio Road and then Route 21 as we know it today. The Caddo eventually relocated to Oklahoma in 1836, but evidence of their presence remains. You’ll find the Caddo Mounds State Historic Site on the outskirts of town. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon where you can view two impressive earthen mounds. There is also a wonderful museum and a replica of a Caddo village to explore. And when you visit, make sure you say a little thank you to those long-gone Caddo settlers who called us friends. After all, can you imagine calling Texas anything else?

If you are looking for outdoor recreation, the Birmingham Golf Club offers nine challenging holes sprawled across some vibrant, picturesque greenery. The Mission Tejas State Park is another terrific recreational destination in nearby Grapeland. It’s the perfect place to fish, camp, picnic, or go for a hike. Or you could take a more leisurely walk at the Rusk Footbridge, a stunning wildlife area and historical site where you can stroll along the nation’s longest wooden footbridge, 546 feet. It was built in 1861 to help the townspeople cross the valley, but today, tourists enjoy its lovely views.

For a unique shopping adventure, drop by Maydelle Country Wines. It’s a quirky little shop where you can sample some delicious fruit wines and meet their mascot, a goat named Bad Goat. Or, for another kind of wildlife experience, head over to the Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari. Explore by car through 300 acres teeming with wild animals, including 25 exotic species.

When you’re ready for a bite to eat, Alto has excellent dining choices. Stop by Miss Mollie’s Diner for some great homestyle cooking. Nene’s Table is the place to go for the best chicken-fried steak in town. Or perhaps you’d like to stroll over to Lindsey’s Lazy L Bar-B-Q for their famous fried shrimp.

After dinner, catch a show at the Turner Auditorium in Nacogdoches. The Turner is famously haunted by a ghost named Chester, who is known to sometimes appear on stage during local productions there. You might catch a glimpse of something spookier there, too.

Something else can be scary in Alto, too: pest infestations. Pest problems are common here in our area; as they say, everything is bigger in Texas, including the bugs. But if you’re getting bugged, we have the solution: Tranquility Pest Control. It’s our job to return your home or office back to the tranquil it was. Contact us today for an estimate.