The Library serves both DeWitt and Lavaca Counties with over 18,000 volumes of books, periodicals, videos and internet access. The library also offers a genealogy section to assist those weekend scavengers looking for clues to the past. It is a landmark that truly depicts the concerted efforts of the Yoakum citizens to preserve history and education for future generations.
Each Christmas, the library hosts a holiday display for all to enjoy.
This fifteen acre site, serving as the City of Yoakum's water treatment facility and located adjacent to US Highway 77-A Business just south of Yoakum, offers a treat for the nature lover. The habitat varies from open meadowland with large pecan trees to dense multi-layered woods along Brushy Creek. A leisurely walk along a 3/10 mile marked trail should reveal native songbirds, woodpeckers, hawks and swallows. Some wading birds are often present along with neotropical migratory birds during spring and fall. Over 50 species of birds have been identified as well as many butterflies and wild flowers.
Located in Yoakum's Municipal Park, the Yoakum Golf Course is open to the public and in 2007 was rated as one of the top 15 9-hole golf courses in the state of Texas. This 9-hole course features challenging holes, a sand trap, four water traps and a pro shop.
Centennial Park, as it was named in May of 1987, sits on land donated by the Stevens Family. After the erection of the flag pole to commemorate the US Bicentennial; the gazebo commemorating the Texas Sesquicentennial and the foot bridge to commemorating Yoakum's Centennial, the park was re-named "Centennial Park". During Christmas, the park is festively decorated and a big red fire truck brings Santa and Mrs. Claus for a visit. A long-range project begun in 1973, the park was a cooperative effort of the City of Yoakum, the Jaycees and the Pilot Club.
Beautiful, large oak trees invite you to enjoy an afternoon of fun at the Mack Jamison Park for your next family gathering. Equipped with a large 4' x 8' barbecue pit, picnic tables, pavilion, playscape, basketball court, baseball field and restrooms, the park is close enough to downtown to be convenient if supplies are needed, yet far enough away to be serene and peaceful.
The community of Yoakum prides itself on being progressive in thought as it retains a strong vision of history and tradition. Out of this commitment came the Pershing Square Revitalization Project. As the brainchild of community leaders, this project reflects the vision of the citizens of Yoakum to bring a new life to Yoakum's historic downtown district.
Designed by students from Texas A&M University, the project is named after General Pershing. It brings together business owners and the community as they construct a destination location for fine shopping and dining that features beautiful landscaping and historic buildings. Shoppers and visitors can stroll down the beautifully brick-lined streets and relax on benches under the swaying branches of large, inviting trees.
Community events that revolve around the square include annual festivals such as Land of Leather Days and The Tom Tom Festival.
Already a cornerstone of Yoakum activity, Pershing Square has held true to its promise to be a dream come true for this forward-thinking community as this project has revitalized the downtown area and made it truely the center of the community!
Yoakum Rodeo facilities are located in the Municipal City Park. They include a regulation size rodeo arena with bucking and calf roping chutes and large adjoining open air show barns. Various events throughout the year, such as the Land of Leather Festival Bull Ride, Rock, Ride'n Roll and Dance, Tom Tom Festival Rodeo, frequent roping events, and the annual FFA and 4-H Stock Show are featured.
The Yoakum Heritage Museum was built in the early 1900s by the J.K Elkins family. This antebellum home continued as the residence for the Elkin's family until 1986 when Mary Bell Browning formally deeded the family home to the community. The museum is a beautiful example of Victorian architecture, featuring the original stained and beveled glass windows and ornate staircase along with other unique features. Serving the community as a remembrance of its history and roots, the museum contains history, culture and artifacts of Yoakum and the San Antonio and Aransas Pass Railroads. Ongoing exhibits include the Leather Room, the Military Room and the Train Room. The Leather Room features a photographic history of the leather industry in Yoakum with exquisite, hand-tooled saddles on display. The Military Room houses historic artifacts from the civil War through the Vietnam War. Displays include souvenirs from local residents who served our country. The Train Room tells the history of Yoakum's railways with artifacts from the early railroad days on display. In addition to ongoing exhibits, the Museum hosts several special exhibits throughtout the year including a spring exhibit, such as "Tea Party" or "Quilt Display", Tom Tom Display, Rail Days Display and Christmas Tree Forest.
The regular museum hours are Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1-4 pm and Sunday from 2-4 pm.
Say hello to spring in the Yoakum area. From March to May, there are highways and by ways in which to enjoy the beautiful wildflowers of this area. They include native bluebonnets, Indian blankets, primroses, buttercups, hollyhocks and so many more. One such route includes a segment of Highway 77-A from Yoakum to Cuero that has been awarded the "Citation of Merit" from the White House for highway beauty. DeWitt County was named the Wildflower Capital of Texas by the state legislature in 1999. Fields are splashed with an abundance of color, as if Mother Nature were painting her landscape like a canvas. Wildflowers are along the roads that connect the small communities in the area. They are on private and public lands and in front of homes and businesses. Former First Lady, Lady Bird Johnson, promoted a beautification campaign in the 1960s. The Texas Highway Department seeded many roadsides during her time as First Lady. The wildflowers in the Yoakum area have survived, thrived, and multiplied for decades. Remember to bring your camera to record postcard beautiful scenes. Take your time to smell and touch the beauty of our wildflowers.
The Chisholm Trail Memorial and park is located at the corner of West Gonzales and Highway 77A. Yoakum captures the spirit of the old trail drives with a memorial dedicated to the Chisholm Trail. The Chisholm Trail extended from South Texas to parts of the northern U.S. Following the Civil War, Texas was bankrupt and in despair. Beef was in big demand in the northern states so between 1867 and 1887, thousands of wild longhorn cattle were driven from South Texas to the cattle markets in the North. The longhorns became known as "Texas Gold" and were essential to the economic recovery of the state. Today, Yoakum honors the cattle drivers' journey with the Chisholm Trail Memorial Park, adorned with beautiful, larger-than-life topiaries, depicting a typical day in the life on the Chisholm Trail. Native plants and lush trees make it a perfect spot for a short stroll or picnic. The Chisholm Trail Memorian and park are located at the corner of West Gonzales and Highway 77A.
