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Located north of Tyler at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and Highway 80 is the City of Mineola in Wood County. Its population is about 5,000 residents. Elevation is 417 feet above sea level.
Mineola has sometimes been called “the forks of the river,”
due to its proximity to the Sabine River, Lake Fork Creek, Big Sandy and Little Sandy creeks.
The city government was organized in 1873, a post office opened in 1875, and the town incorporated in 1877.
Water is important in any community, and Mineola's most famous public well was located at the intersection of U.S. Highway 80 and Johnson Street.
Mineola became known for the mineral water found in it, which was detected during the drilling for salt in the late 1800s after the salt dome in Grand Saline was discovered. The well was thought to have therapeutic, healing properties to combat issues such as rheumatism, gout and diabetes, and the city shipped its mineral water across the country.
In 1896, community leaders decided to install a windmill to help satisfy Mineola's growing water needs. The windmill, from the Aermotor Windmill Company of San Angelo Texas, rested atop a 60-foot tower, and featured a 3,000 gallon cypress tank and watering trough for livestock. In later years the city council voted to put a bell on top of the well to announce fires to the public.
In 2011, the Mineola Historical Museum board has launched a project to create a half-size replica of the historical and cypress tank.
In its early years, Mineola was active in the manufacturing of railroad ties and other lumber products. In addition, area farms produced cotton, livestock, fruit, and berries.
The arrival of improved highways and roads, the Magnolia Pipeline Company gas line, and the construction of a railroad terminal spurred Mineola growth in the 1920s. The discovery of oil in Wood County and construction of the Texas & Pacific Railway prompted additional growth in the 1940s.
Other communities located on historic U.S. Highway 80 include Grand Saline to the west, and Gladewater, Longview and Marshall to the east.
The Mineola Nature Preserve was dedicated in March of 2011, and built at a cost of $1 million. This beautiful location consists of 2,900 acres on Loop 564 along the Sabine River, and has facilities including wetlands, numerous hiking and equestrian trails, bee hives, extraordinary bird-watching, and more for the outdoor enthusiast.
The preserve is open daily, from 7 a.m. to sunset. It is home to 193 species of birds, wildlife, buffalo and longhorn cattle. Pullen Pond at the preserve includes water habitats and outdoor classrooms that can be used as teaching opportunities: small ponds, waterfalls and dams, a running stream, wetlands, and deep water and shallow water concepts.
Texas Fisheries will stock the pond with catfish and East Texas Woods and Waters funded the construction of a fishing pier near the pond.
While Mineola has several motels and other accommodations, some visitors to East Texas choose the wide variety and greater number of hotels and motels available in nearby Tyler.
Accommodations in Tyler include a Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn Select, Hilton Garden Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Country Inn & Suites, Residence Inn, Fairfield Inn, and others.
Popular Mineola area attractions include various antique malls and shops, the Mineola Historical Museum, nearby Lake Fork and Lake Hawkins, and the Mineola Nature Preserve.
For more information, visit the Mineola Chamber of Commerce. We also recommend a visit to the website of the City of Mineola and the Mineola Historical Museum.
While visiting Mineola and the Tyler area, you may want to take other interesting day trips in several directions:
- Jacksonville - to the south of Tyler on U.S. 69
- Love's Lookout - beautiful 30-mile vista to the East
- Athens - Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center
- Canton - home of First Monday Trade Days
- Gladewater - antique capitol of East Texas
- Longview - historic buildings, shopping, restaurants
- Marshall - Marshall Pottery, Railroad Museum, more
- Lake Tyler - swimming, boating, fishing, skiing close-in to Tyler
- Lake Palestine - boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, waterfront restaurants
- Toledo Bend Reservoir - boating, fishing, swimming, marinas, hiking, camping, golf, resorts, restaurants
- Brenham - College Station - Blue Bell Creamery, Antique Rose Emporium, Bluebonnet Trails, Bed and Breakfasts, vineyards, George Bush Presidential Library, Texas A&M University, more
- Bullard - just south of Tyler, home of wineries and the Freedom Museum
Tyler has convenient access to area lakes that provide boating, fishing, skiing, swimming, and other recreational possibilities. Tyler State Park, a short drive north of the city, provides overnight camping venues, mountain biking, picnicking, hiking and more.
From world-class golf courses, flea markets, walking trails, cultural attractions, state parks, festivals, antique shopping, fall motoring and art museums, Mineola, Tyler and the East Texas area has something
for everyone!
Historical Postcard - Sunrise Courts, 517 E. Broad Street, Mineola, Texas
East Side of Town on U.S. Highway 80
Historic U.S. Highway 80 near Mineola, Texas
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