Museum Attractions
Mule Barn
Original from the 19th Century
In the mid-1800s, horses were a hot commodity and were often stolen. Mules on the other hand? Not such a popular item. For this reason, many stagecoaches uses mules instead of horses to get where they needed to go.
When traveling long distances, stagecoaches often had to swap out their mule teams to safely reach their destination. The mules were kept in the mule barn for safe keeping waiting for the next stagecoach to swap them.
The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum was fortunate enough to receive a donation of an original mule barn from the Freeland Ranch. This mule barn is the same one that serviced the Johnson Stage Line in the mid-1800s. Visit the Chisholm Trail Outdoor museum to see this important piece of Texas History.
Museum Attractions
Step Back In Time & See What It Was Like To Live In The Wild West
Accessible by the public, the Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum is an open area where visitors can learn about how the cattle drives along the trail impacted life and the history of the first county seat of Johnson County, Texas. Come check out the original courthouse, a stagecoach station, a blacksmith shop, and many more attractions on the banks of Lake Pat Cleburne on the Chisholm Trail.
Big Bear Native American Museum
The Big Bear Native American Museum provides an invaluable educational experience for children and adults alike to...
LEARN MOREBlacksmith Shop
Back in the 1800s, every town had a blacksmith shop. We knew The Chisholm Trail Outdoor Museum...
LEARN MOREMule Barn
In the mid-1800s, horses were a hot commodity and were often stolen. Mules on the other hand?...
LEARN MOREAmazing HISTORIC Outdoor Museum and Big Bear Native American Museum! Makes you believe you are back in the 1800’s with Stagecoach, Blacksmith, School, Jail, Court House and more! ALL of the activities and events are incredible!
Really interesting. And outdoor walking tour that you do on your own. Lots of old building and things to see. I enjoyed myself. I would come back here with little kids and wander around. They have a picnic area where you can go with kids and spend the afternoon
Neat place - loved that you can explore on your own and how quiet it is!
When we got there, we started with the "Big Bear Native American Museum" on the premises of the Chisholm Trail Museum. With no disrespect to the Chisholm Trail Museum, the Big Bear Museum "stole the show" for both my wife and I. I've seen many Native American artifacts and collections and I believe this museum, while being relatively small, is one of the best curated collections I've ever seen.