KATY MAGAZINE l APRIL 2019
By April Carroll
Discover Old Katy's charm from City Hall to the silos.
People are drawn to Katy, Texas for its small-town charm. Many residents have known each other forever, and neighbors wave when you drive down the street.
The heart and soul of the town is in “Old Katy,” where you can grab lunch, buy a new outfit and shop for antique treasures. Katyites have their favorite places to get hardware and eat breakfast, all within the city limits, and they probably know the owners. Newcomers might not know about these local gems, but they will quickly learn there are many iconic Katy places to be discovered throughout the town.
Select photos courtesy of the City of Katy
History
Located between Avenue C and Avenue D
In Katy, everyone can appreciate the stately columns and beautiful red brick facade of City Hall. The clock tower poised above the three-story building can be seen for miles, and is a great focal point for the city. The Mayor's office is inside City Hall, and council meetings and all city business takes place there.
6206 George Bush Dr.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Katy is proud to have a museum to exhibit donated and cherished items. The museum opened in 1996 and displays memorabilia from wars as early as WWI to the recent conflicts in the Middle East. Visitors might even recognize several veterans in photographs and on awards who are Katy natives. Check the VFW Museum website to request a tour.
Franz Rd.
Urban legend claims a witch was buried in Katy’s Magnolia Cemetery. The story maintains there was a sphere on top of the witch's grave that would fall off and roll around before returning to its place. Some of the most prominent family names of Katy are laid to rest in Magnolia Cemetery. In December, visitors can see many beautiful wreaths in the cemetery when Wreaths Across America honors all of the fallen soldiers buried there.
5616 First St.
One of the defining locations in Katy features the restored red train caboose where families and friends pose for the classic Katy picture. Next to the caboose is the railroad museum that serves as a tourist center. Guests can learn the history of the M-K-T line that carried passengers from Missouri, Kansas and Texas.
Parks
5990 George Bush Dr.
Want to see some Katy originals? Katy Heritage Park displays three historic Katy homes and a post office. The Featherston and Wright houses date back to 1898, and the Stockdick house was built in 1916. Each building was purchased, moved to the park and restored by Katy Heritage Society. On the first weekend of every month, Katy Heritage Park is open for free tours.
5597 Gardenia Ln.
Pack a picnic lunch and your fishing poles and head to Katy's Mary Jo Peckham Park. The lake is stocked with bass, catfish and rainbow trout (seasonal). Kids will find ample space to run around on the 32-acre park. They can also follow the .77 mile walking trail or spend hours on the playground. For indoor activities, visit the Aquatic and Fitness Center and try a yoga, Pilates or Zumba class. Visitors can also cool off in the pool, swim laps, or participate in one of the classes like Deep Water Aerobics and Arthritis Aquatics. The park also provides American Red Cross swim lessons for ages six months to adults.
Photo credit: Srini Sundarrajan
George Bush Drive
A true gem for Katy families can be found directly behind Katy Heritage Park and the VFW Museum. The town's VFW Park offers a well-kept playground and walking track. The city of Katy also holds camp-outs and family movie nights on the grounds. The mature trees in the park provide excellent shade on hot summer days.
Shopping
5614 2nd St.
Whether you’re shopping for antiques, or want to sell your own, stop in to KT Antiques. This well-laid-out shop feature booths from multiple vendors with an impressive selection of vintage collectibles, furniture, clothing and more.
559 Pin Oak Rd.
Katy Hardware moved from the heart of Old Katy and now sits just outside the center of town. Only their location changed - Katy Hardware still provides a convenient one-stop shop to find everything you need for any home project. When you enter, you’ll be greeted by a knowledgeable staff who can help you find what you need, or offer suggestions and advice.
813 Ave. B
Home improvement shows have made antique and refurbished furniture extremely popular. At Vintage Back Roads, you'll find awesome treasures to decorate every room in your home for a great price. If you ask around in Katy for a recommendation for furniture, you'll surely be sent here.
Food and Drink
5803 Highway Blvd.
Snappy’s hails as Katy's place where everybody knows your name. Generations of customers dine at this Katy landmark on a regular basis. Breakfast lasts for hours over coffee and a helping of healthy political debate. Many native Katy parents continue the childhood tradition by bringing their own children to Snappy’s for breakfast on the weekends.
1101, 6025 Highway Blvd.
Whether you’re coming here to eat, listen to great live music, or host an event, Midway BBQ has it all! Animal busts adorn every wall of this family-friendly restaurant with a great menu. Midway Meat Market, owned by the same family, offers fresh produce and meats. The store flooded during Hurricane Harvey, but will be re-opening very soon!
5617 2nd St.
Kay’s Tea Parlour opened in 2010, but many Katy natives list this charming tea parlor as a favorite place to eat. This cozy spot is known for their delicious chicken pot pie, fresh-baked desserts, and of course, tea. The atmosphere has a European flair, and you’ll enjoy your tea the same way - pinkies up! Kay's frequently hosts a “Full Afternoon Tea” featuring assorted teas and samples of tasty sandwiches and desserts.
5251 1st St.
No Label Brewery is located on the grounds of Katy's iconic rice silos. They produce seven year-round brews as well as seasonal favorites. No Label is open every weekday afternoon and all day on weekends. They do not serve food, however, area food trucks line up to take orders. Bring the kids and the dogs, because No Label prides itself on being very family friendly!
5373 1st St.
MKT Distillery is new to Katy, but located in the well-loved antique rice dryers. The MKT Tasting Room offers locally-crafted spirits on the weekends, and is family friendly. During crawfish season, distillery guests can enjoy crawfish, shrimp, crab and gumbo with the MKT liquor produced in the town's iconic rice silos.