Day Trip to Hillsboro to see Roadside America Musume

On a beautiful Spring day, The Travelling Toe and Dear Friend headed out on Highway 
I 35 South to visit the small Texas town of Hillsboro.  As we zoomed down the highway, the byways were covered in wildflowers including the wild pink primroses and beautiful bluebonnets, which are the state flower of Texas  

The reason for the trip was to visit the "Roadside America Museum".  It has been featured on several regional television shows such as Texas Country Reporter and The (Texas) Daytripper. The owner of the museum is Carroll Estes. He is well know in the antique car show circuit as he has restored numerous vintage vehicles and has won a number of trophies which he has on display. Mr. Estes renovated an empty Ford Dealership building to store his collection, some of his cars and trophies. 

As we entered the building one of the first display cabinets we saw, was make out of original Cadillac fins and houses vintage toy cars and other vehicles. Sorry the picture is a tad dark but the lighting was a bit dim.

If you are a Grapette fan, Carroll has one of the largest collections of Grapette memorabilia.
(these pictures feature just a few items)

Also on display is a huge "Big Boy" and Carroll said only 3 are known to exist and he has one of them. Along with the "Big Boy" is a Grapette figure and a large Hot Dog.

For those of you Dear Readers that from the Fort Worth-Dallas area, you might remember the famous Pig Stand drive-ins that were the place to go back n the day. The first one opened up in 1921 in Dallas. (in my memory banks they had the best onion rings!) The menu listes a jumbo hamburger for only 20 cents! YUM

The cute metal wagon sitting on top of the Grapette cooler was made in 1933 by Metal Craft.  It even had a place for batteries so the wagon could have headlights. The wagon is in great condition considering its age!  And yes that is an ESSO tiger in the back with Wylie Coyote on his back

Here's a Pepsi sign with great patina

And a sign for Orange Crush fans. 

And can't forget Nehi.

Here's Squirt!

Remember the Hamm's Beer commercials featuring the Hamm's Bear...well here he is!

And of course some Coke goodies as well!

This horse is named Sandy and she is a bit ragged but still works...and no we decided not to damage her more with a short ride!

A bumper car from past times.

We don't see these machines out everywhere any longer!

These are also long gone...love the saddle shoes!!

But here is one of the most astounding things he has in his collection that is on display. It is an original poster!!  And if you are a certain age you will know the significance of it.

The Day The Music Died

This is only a glance of all the interesting and fun items Carroll has on display.  A separate post will highlight a few of his vintage vehicles.

To end this post, here is a funny sign that cracked us both up!!

what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas!!
(even in Hillsboro, Texas!!)