This realistic Pioneer Farms Austin Guide helps you plan your next adventure in this living history park.

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms is a living history museum and farm. Kids and adults could experience life in the 19th century less than 20 minutes from Downtown Austin.

This post includes affiliate links that will earn us commission if you make a purchase via these links.

Sights & Places of Interest

Pioneer Farms are a collection of buildings in the Capital of Texas. All structures in this museum display common and unique designs of the 19th century in Central Texas.

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms have 10 different sections. Each section of the park refers to a different period in the Texas history. The area closest to the parking lot displays a 1899 village.

You will be traveling back in time as you go further into the park. The earliest exhibits in the living history museum date back to 1839 and 1844. It is 185 years of history packed into a couple of hectares.

This Pioneer Farms Austin Guide covers the main things to see in this museum. It starts with the 1899 settlement and brings you to earlier and earlier exhibits.

1. Tate House

The Tate House will likely be the first building you see at Pioneer Farms. This house dates back to the 1840s. Lady Bird Johnson gifted this house to Pioneer Farms in the 1970s.

The house was originally built on Inks Lake, about 70 miles (113 km) upstream on the Colorado River. In fact, it used to be closer to the Inks Lake, LBJ Ranch, and Muleshoe Bend than to Austin.

Visitors cannot enter the Tate House. It is now home to the park office. But you could admire its beautiful porch from the outside. Go around the house to enter the Pioneer Farms Welcome Center instead.

2. General Store

The General Store is a building across the street from the Tate House. You are welcome to enter this building. In fact, you have to do so to pay your admission fees.

This building is far younger than the Tate House. It dates back to 1994. The store is a replica of an actual Gilesburg General Store. It was built for a movie set.

You could see and smell a handful of items that should bring you back to 1899. There are also a few modern day items you could buy at the General Store.

3. Wroe Storefront & Grove Apothecary

Wroe Storefront is next to the General Store. It is another replica, this time of a carriage shop. You could walk around these mid century carriages while studying their designs and features.

This experience is not much different than buying a car at a dealership nowadays. Except there are no sales reps trying to sell you the latest and greatest cars.

The exhibits at Wroe Storefront are a bit similar to the Carriage Barn at Ringwood in New Jersey. A few carriages are displayed at Grove Apothecary, too. You could enter that building without going outside.

4. Jarmon House

The Jarmon House is the next building to see at Pioneer Farms. This house is not a replica. It dates back to 1899. Therefore, it fits quite nicely into this section of the park.

There are a handful of similarities between the Jarmon House and the Tate House. Both were moved from their original locations. And neither are open to the public.

As a result, you could only explore this post-Victorian house from the outside. Take a walk around the wooden fence and admire the design elements of this mansion.

5. Moody Farm House

In fact, a quite similar description applies to the house next door from the Jarmon House. The Moody Farm House is an 1888 mansion.

It was built in Queen Anne Style, just like the Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Oak Park, Illinois. The house originally stood in Taylor, Texas, some 25 miles (40 km) north of Pioneer Farms.

It was moved to this living history museum in 2018 for preservation. That explains the presence of concrete blocks instead of a foundation of the house.

6. Houston-Orsay House

The Houston-Orsay House is another house in this park that once was in a different place. At least, this Victorian Eclectic house was built and remained in Austin during its entire existence.

Hyatt House Austin/Downtown is now at the original location of the Houston-Orsay House. You could even stay in this hotel if you visit Austin and Pioneer Farms from another city, state, or country.

Unlike many other houses at Pioneer Farms, you could visit the Houston-Orsay House. You are welcome to explore its modest interior.

7. Aynesworth-Wright House

You might start to wonder whether any other buildings at Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms are open to the public. You are in luck again because you could explore the interior of the next house in the park.

The Aynesworth-Wright House dates back to 1853. It is one of the oldest buildings at Pioneer Farms. The house used to be at Airport Boulevard in Austin.

You will find two rooms inside this house. Each had a fireplace to provide heat in the winter. There are a handful of exhibits on the walls and in the display cabinets.

8. Wessels Dance Hall

As you make a loop around the 1899 village, you will arrive at the Wessels Dance Hall. This building is the main events venue at Pioneer Farms.

Museum programs take place at the Wessels Dance Hall. You could also rent this space for your event, like a wedding or a reception.

Stop by the Sprinkle Corner in front of the Hall. It is a beautiful wooden gazebo. It serves as a centerpiece of the settlement.

9. Village Smithy

The Village Smithy is the last structure to explore in the 1899 village. It is a replica of a 1890 blacksmith shop. You could see the tools that craftsmen used during that era.

But you could do more than just look at the tools from a distance. If you desire to learn the art of blacksmithing, you are welcome to join a workshop at Pioneer Farms.

This could be a cost-efficient way to gain some new skills while going back in time. This and most other workshops at Pioneer Farms are $100 per person.

10. Dessau Church

The 1899 village is the largest section of Pioneer Farms. All other sections do not have as many structures combined. They also involve a much longer walk with little shade.

It is not a surprise that few visitors with kids make it past the initial settlement. But beginner and experienced hikers should go on a longer loop of Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms.

You will go back in time a few years once you approach the Dessau Church. This church dates back in 1876. It was built in nearby community of Dessau. The church is closed to the public.

11. Dodson Farm

Dodson Farm is the other building in the 1872 section of the park. It might come as a surprise but you could visit this 1891 house.

This house is a good way to learn about the life of emancipated slaves in the late 19th century. Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms join the Neill-Cochran House in covering this part of history.

You should make a stop at this house. There are often volunteers at Dodson Farm. They would be happy to tell the story of the house and its residents.

12. Bell Farm

You will go back another 6 years once you reach Bell Farm. It is one of the largest buildings at Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms that is open to the public.

You are welcome to go inside the house. There are five rooms for you to explore: ladies’ room, master bedroom, children’s room, living room, and dining room. Each room had a fireplace for heating.

The interior of the Bell House might surprise you. Both the living room and the parlor have pianos and exquisite furniture pieces. You could expect them at the Neill-Cochran House but not at a farmhouse.

Go through the backdoor to the Community Garden. You will see a handful of vegetable and fruit plants. Donkeys, turkeys, and chickens also call this area home. It is easy to spend half an hour at Bell Farm.

13. Scarborough Barn

You do not need to walk long to reach the next attraction after you finish exploring Bell Farm. The Scarborough Barn is across the road from the farmhouse.

You cannot miss this structure. Just go towards the Eclipse Windmill. Distinct animal scent could also serve as a guide. Just to be clear: you should be going towards it and not running away.

If the scent does not stop you, go inside the barn. This is your chance to see horses from a close distance. There are at least a couple of animals in this barn at most times.

13. Jourdan Farm

Get ready to fire up the time machine again. You will be traveling to the 1870s this time. The Swedish Silo will be the first of these historic structures. It is a large grain storage bin.

The road will bring you to Jourdan Farm next. Its cedar log cabin is the original 1858 building. Unlike most structures at Pioneer Farms, this cabin remained on this property during the whole time.

Jourdan Farm has a very different look and feel compared to Bell Farm. Forget about the pianos. You will see a much simpler interior inside this cabin. There are just a dining room, family parlor, papa’s bedroom.

The Breezeway is the last room of the cabin. This porch hallway only has two walls. But this thoughtful design made it the coolest place in the house in the summer. Look out for donkeys in the backyard.

14. Stagecoach Shop

The Stagecoach Shop is a short walk from Jourdan Farm. It is yet another relocated building at Pioneer Farms. This log cabin dates back to 1880. It used to stand near Liberty Hill and Balcones Canyonlands.

You could go inside this building, too. You will see the single room with a simple interior inside. Jourdan Farm will appear luxurious when you compare it to the Stagecoach Shop.

Volunteers are often present at this cabin. This is your chance to ask burning questions about the pioneers and their life in Texas.

15. Kruger Farm

The most remote part of Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms has a few more structures open for exploration. In fact, most interior exhibits in this museum are in this section.

You will arrive at Kruger Farm next. This farm of German Emigrants has a homestead and a barn. Only the house is open to visitors.

This one-room log cabin dates back to 1867. Similar to Dessau Church, it was built a few miles north from present day Pioneer Farms.

16. Chisholm Trail

You could stop by Tonkawa Encampment or the Republic Overlook on the shores of Walnut Creek. But there is little to see at both sites. Taking the Chisholm Trail back to the 1899 village is a better idea.

This trail usually has decorations for Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. But you could count on seeing Texas Longhorns on the Blackland Prairie year round.

These animals will be just a few feet (meters) from you behind a fence. Seeing a Texas State Animal is a good way to finish your visit to Pioneer Farms.

Continue with this Pioneer Farms Austin Guide. You will learn more about ways to get to the sights, entrance requirements, and places to stay.

Getting to Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms are in the northern part of Austin. The museum is in a residential area along Interstate Highway I-35.

A car is the easiest way to reach historic houses and replicas at Pioneer Farms. The museum offers free parking on the premises. Expect crowds if you visit the park during the special events and programs.

You could see Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms in less than 20 minutes from Austin Downtown. A drive from the airport takes about the same time with no traffic.

Public transport is a far less convenient option to reach this museum. The nearest bus stop is 0.9 miles (1.5 km) away. Only Bus 392 stops there. It connects Domain with Tech Ridge Center.

Unless you are staying at either neighborhood you have to travel for hours to reach Pioneer Farms. At least, there is a walkway that goes all the way between the bus stop and the museum.

Remember that a visit to Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms involves a fair amount of walking. The whole loop of the park is about a mile (1.6 km) long. Decide for yourself if you are ready to triple this distance.

Where to Stay near Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

While Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms are in Austin, there are no places to stay within a walking distance to the park. But you could find a handful of great options if you can drive for a few minutes.

Places to stay in Tech Ridge Center neighborhood are the closest to the park. Check out avid hotels – Austin – Tech Ridge, an IHG Hotel and Homewood Suites TechRidge Parmer @ I-35.

Staybridge Suites Austin North – Parmer Lane, an IHG Hotel is another great choice slight north of Tech Ridge Center. All of these places to stay offer free breakfast and parking.

The Domain neighborhood is a longer drive from Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms. But you could be staying closer to nice restaurants and entertainment venues.

Consider Residence Inn by Marriott Austin Northwest/The Domain Area and Hilton Garden Inn Austin North-Near the Domain, TX. Both hotels are fabulous places to stay.

An area between Highways I-35, US-290, and US-183 is also worth looking into. Drury Inn & Suites Austin North has solid reviews. It is halfway between Downtown and Pioneer Farms.

Entrance Requirements & Passes

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms are open to Tuesday to Sunday. Yet, only school groups could visit the site on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. That leaves Thursday through Sunday to the general public.

Pioneer Farms are closed during the last two weeks of each year. As a result, this museum is not a good destination to visit in late December.

The opening hours differ by season. You could visit Pioneer Farms from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the summer. The farms are open till 5 p.m. during the rest of the year. Last admission is an hour before closure.

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms charge admission fees. Adults (18+) pay $8, youth and seniors pay $6. Kids younger than 3 visit free.

The museum organizes special events every Easter, Halloween, and Christmas. They include decorations and activities geared towards kids. Admission fees to these events are higher than the regular fees.

Takeaways: Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms are an interesting destination to visit for Austinites and tourists. The buildings at this site have historic value. A few houses date back to the mid to late 19th century.

Yet, nearly all of them were moved from their original sites. Most were built miles (km) from their current location. And a handful of buildings were developed at a much later time.

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms could have been Waterloo Village of Texas. But they fall short of this description. The park feels like a collection of individual buildings rather than a village or settlement.

Jourdan-Bachman Pioneer Farms are a mix between Old Town San Diego and Winchester Mystery House. They are a theme park much more than a typical living history farm.

You might be better off driving to Johnson City and Stonewall. The LBJ Ranch has a living history farm, too. But admission to that park is free. You could also visit other sights like Pedernales Falls on the way.

Take a look at this Pioneer Farms Austin Video Guide. And visit the YouTube channel for the latest videos.

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe realist travels!