Northwest Beaumont - Lumberton, TX

Silsbee, Lumberton and Kountze were all established in the late 1800s as railroad towns as the tracks were being built through the area. Lumber became a major industry once the railroads could support local sawmill trade. In Silsbee, for example, John Kirby built the railroad and the Kirby Lumber Company. Kountze was established as a railroad town in 1881 and Lumberton in 1894. Several other small mill towns existed in the area, which are now gone or absorbed into the larger towns.

The Kirby-Hill House in Kountze was the first home in Hardin County to be added to the National Register of Historic Places. The home was built in 1902 by the family of the lumber baron Kirby. The house remains open as a museum and educational foundation as well as a bed and breakfast. The site also hosts special events such as murder-mystery dinners and art shows.

In addition to a variety of national and regional fast-food chains, Kountze, Silsbee and Lumberton all serve up local dining options in the downtown areas as well.

In Silsbee, check out West Texas Style Bar-B-Que and The Cottage for quintessential small-town Texas mom-and-pop places. West Texas Style Bar-B-Que serves up great barbecue smoked on the premises and home-made pies. Locals love the brisket, ribs, sweet tea and meringue pies with lofty peaks. The Cottage, also family-owned and -operated, serves up home-style country cooking with favorites such as legendary hamburgers and country-fried steak with loads of gravy. The staff is remarkably friendly, the prices are reasonable and locals love the cozy atmosphere.

In Kountze, Captain Ron’s Seafood serves up local delicacies such as fried catfish, fried pickle spears, shrimp po'boys, hush puppies, fried okra and green tomatoes. Prices are reasonable and the portions are large at this local seafood joint.

In Lumberton, Boogie & Tootsie’s Deli serves up quality sandwiches such as the grilled Reuben and chicken rustica, boasting a perfectly balanced blend of flavors with grilled chicken, pesto, chipotle mayo, applewood smoked bacon, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato and red onion on a ciabatta roll. Napoli's Italian Restaurant, a family-owned and -operated local favorite, serves up an extensive menu of authentic Italian pastas, pizzas, chicken dishes, and chef’s specialties such as eggplant and veal Parmesan. Rafael's Mexican Restaurant serves up the best Tex-Mex in town, with bold flavors, big portions and reasonable prices. The dining room has a bar, and you can also get takeout at the drive-through window.

For nightlife, check out the Honky Tonk Texas dance hall and bar in Silsbee. Honky Tonk Texas provides pool tables, a stage area, live music, special events and a huge dance floor for line dancing. You can also take the short trip into Beaumont for more entertainment and nightlife options.

U.S. Route 287 connects Lumberton and Kountze to Fort Worth in the north and Beaumont in the south. Route 287 connects to U.S. Route 96, also known as the Eastex Freeway, before reaching Beaumont, which also connects Silsbee to Beaumont and Port Arthur.

The closest taxicab companies are located in nearby Beaumont. Some taxi companies do provide service to areas of Hardin County on call, including Lumberton and Silsbee. The closest public transportation services are also located in Beaumont.

Predominantly a driving area, the towns provide plenty of free public parking. The areas northwest of Beaumont in Hardin County provide a variety of hiking and bike trails in the parks and nature preserves. The small towns in the area provide pedestrian- and bike-friendly routes as well.

Village Creek State Park in Lumberton, part of the Piney Woods region in East Texas, boasts over 1,000 acres of forestland and cypress swamps. The park provides wildlife- and bird-watching opportunities, fishing and picnic areas. Over 10 miles of hiking and biking trails, canoeing, a swimming beach and a playground for children provide exercise and recreation opportunities for visitors. You can also stay at the park’s campgrounds or at a cabin that can be rented from the park.

The Big Thicket, a thick forest area in southeast Texas, spans most of Hardin County. It was the most dense forest region in the Texas area, but logging has reduced the concentration of the forested area. Recognized as one of the most bio-diverse areas in the world outside of the tropics, the Big Thicket National Preserve was established in 1974 to protect the unique area, and it was designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1981. The Big Thicket National Preserve, along with the Big Cypress National Preserve in Florida, were the first national preserves designated in the U.S. National Park System.

The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in the area hovers around $566 per month, with a generally lower cost of living compared to nearby Beaumont. Average gas prices in the area vary, with prices in Lumberton running around 10 percent below the national average. The typical price for a pint of beer in the area runs between $3 and $4, with specials as low as $2.

The highest concentration of grocery and retail locations in the area can be found in Lumberton, followed by Silsbee and Kountze. Lumberton offers a family-owned and -operated grocery store, the Market Basket, as well as major grocery store chain locations such as H-E-B and a Walmart Supercenter. Silsbee also hosts a Walmart Supercenter location. You’ll need to head to nearby Beaumont for the closest farmers market, the Beaumont Farmer’s Market, a weekly seasonal market.

Both Lumberton and Silsbee host Bealls department store locations. In Lumberton, independent shops include Furnish It, a large furniture store that sells name-brand furniture at discount prices. Furnish It contributes a portion of its profits to charitable causes. The Antique Mall of Lumberton features over 60 different antique vendors in one convenient location. The Country Lane Antique Mall, also in Lumberton, offers a smaller alternative to the Antique Mall of Lumberton.