Tracks were laid, land was sold, and Leander was born in 1882. Named after Leander “Catfish” Brown—a railroad official who helped complete the line—the town has always been rooted in movement and momentum.
Fast forward to today, and Leander still honors that legacy, with a family-friendly twist. Their Trail of Trains invites you to explore the city through a photo scavenger hunt featuring 12 stops.
“We were looking for a creative, engaging way to celebrate that heritage while also supporting local artists and giving businesses a unique platform to connect with the community,” says Leander Chamber President Bridget Brandt. “When we were brainstorming ideas for our Leadership Leander class project, we wanted something that would be both visually impactful and meaningful—and trains were a perfect fit.”
Each train is a story. Businesses collaborate with artists to tell those stories, sharing their mission, values, and custom imagery to transform ideas into bold, personal works of art.
“One of the most touching moments was when a business owner teared up seeing their finished train because it so perfectly captured their legacy,” says Brandt. “Another time, a child came running into our office, sharing how excited he was to have completed the entire trail. He earned a train whistle and was blowing on it with all his heart.”
The community continues to rally around this project, with plenty of buzz on social media and visitors mapping out their own train tours.
“It’s a celebration of who we are and where we’ve come from, and it’s creating memories and conversations that will last for years,” says Brandt. “That kind of impact is exactly why we do what we do.”
Head to visitleandertx.com to learn more and swing by the Leander Visitors Center at 100 N Brushy St to claim your prize.