Wharton becoming travelers' destination
Wharton Chamber News

Wharton residents, on occasion, will express doubts about why anyone in the world would want to come here to visit.

Yes, it's true - they say this!

"There is nothing to see in Wharton."

"Why would they want to come here?"

Yes, it's true - they say this!

Old cliché: familiarity breeds contempt.

Well, a zillion people from the big city are not so familiar with the attractions of a rural community such as ours.

They breathe smog all day long. They fight the traffic to go everywhere, from the grocery store to the dry cleaners, from the office to the day care - everything.

That's what they are familiar with. And they want to see something different.

Your Chamber of Commerce had a booth at the Houston Travel Show, held this past weekend at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. We talked to literally hundreds of big city residents who sorely want to see the countryside.

When they came up to the Wharton booth, they did not look incredulous, like Wharton was a place you leave, instead of a place you go to.

They were pleased to learn they can choose Wharton as a travel destination.

They were pleased to learn that they can get the heck out of the traffic and the smog and in an hour see the cows, see the fields of newly planted crops, see our restored courthouse, stay at a Tee Pee, see our museums, and enjoy our gift shops, antique stores and restaurants.

Often, these potential visitors already have connections to Wharton. They are good ones. Some were even born here.

Some attended or taught at Wharton County Junior College. Some worked here.

Some have friends or family here. All were pleasant memories.

Now we must make new connections - Wharton also as a great place to visit, a true destination.