Pendleton, TX

Located just northwest of Temple, Pendleton is a quiet rural community with deep roots in Central Texas railroad history. In the late 1800s, it grew around a busy Santa Fe depot, expanding into a thriving farming hub complete with local shops, churches, and cotton gins. As transportation shifted and agricultural work changed over the twentieth century, the town gradually settled into the peaceful, open landscape you see today.

Despite its modest footprint along Farm Road 1237, Pendleton has a couple of memorable claims to fame. It was the birthplace of legendary gospel-blues artist Blind Willie Johnson, whose slide guitar recordings eventually traveled into deep space on NASA's Voyager record. Green Bay Packers safety and Hall of Famer Bobby Dillon was also born here. Today, Pendleton gives residents plenty of acreage, quiet country living, and an easy fifteen-minute drive into Temple for work, shopping, and dining.