Ballinger, Texas
Ballinger was established in 1886 as Hutchins City; present seat of Runnels County. The county, cut by the Colorado River, is predominantly agricultural with extensive beef, dairy cattle, sheep, and poultry, plus cotton, grain sorghum, and fruits. Minerals include oil and natural gas.
The Carnegie Library, built in 1909, is one of the few in the state in continuous use as a library. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the library is open weekday afternoons.
The Downtown Pioneer Plaza honors pioneers with a fountain, gazebo, and the restored Star Tobacco sign, circa 1909.
Don't miss the Texas State Festival of Ethnic Cultures and Arts & Crafts Show, held the last weekend in April.