The oldest town in Texas turns 300 years old in 2016 and Nacogdoches organizations are planning historical events to commemorate the yearlong birthday celebration.

The history of Nacogdoches began in 1716 when the Mission Nuestra Senora de Guadalupe de los Nacogdoches was opened as a Catholic mission to serve the local Caddo tribe. Father Antonio Margil de Jesus was placed in charge of this new village with its church and dwellings for the missionaries. That is why Nacogdoches celebrates July 9, 20l6 as its Tricentennial.

Milestones along that 300-year journey from l7l6 to 2016 include building the Old Stone Fort in l776, chartering Nacogdoches’ first university in 1845, building the railroad in l882, establishing the school district in l905 and opening Stephen F. Austin State University in l923. 

The 300th birthday of Nacogdoches will be celebrated in many ways: 

•       The SFA Press will publish the book “Uniquely Nacogdoches.”

•       The Daily Sentinel will dedicate an entire issue to the Tricentennial Celebration.

•       Historic film will be included in Nacogdoches Film Festival Feb. 25-27.

•       March 2-5 events include Daughters of the Republic of Texas Independence Day commemoration; the Nacogdoches Chamber of Commerce Lone Star Legislative Summit and Nac Music Festival.

•       Millards’ Crossing April 7-10 re-enactment of the 1897 wedding of Jesse and Annie Millard .

•       Friends of Historic Nacogdoches, Inc. will unveil the statue of George Crocket, present the first annual Carolyn Ericson award and offer a Living History of Oak Grove Cemetery tour.

•       The five original East Texas missions will be dedicated in July.

•       Trail markers for the El Camino Real will be placed across Nacogdoches County.  

•       Nacogdoches NISD and SFASU students will look at Nacogdoches history.

•       A citywide 300^th Birthday Party November 10, 2016 will celebrate the Tricentennial .

The Nacogdoches Convention & Visitors Bureau is already adding Tricentennial events to the statewide calendar.  As organizations and individuals find ways to be a part of the birthday of the oldest town in Texas they can use the Tricentennial logo available through the 300^th Committee. To be included, events must be factual, inclusive and open to all people and must promote Nacogdoches in a positive manner.  Each organization will do its own publicity but can use the 300^th Tricentennial logo and be listed on the yearlong calendar. 

What will you do?  Could your organization have at least one program devoted to the Nacogdoches Tricentennial during 2016?  Could you contribute financially to trail markers for El Camino Real or directly to the Nacogdoches300 Committee ? Could you take part in an event already planned or help plan another?  

How will you celebrate 300 years of Nacogdoches history?

For information about the Tricentennial, email nacogdoches300@yahoo.com.  To be included in the calendar, contact Mike Bay, Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, 936-564-7351, or Phone 844-nacbirthday (844-622-2478) toll-free.