12 Weird Facts About Texas That You've Never Heard Of

Nestled beneath the big, bold sky and sprawling deserts of the Lone Star State lies a treasure trove of oddities that often goes unnoticed. Known for its cowboys, beaches, and barbecue, Texas is more than just a stereotype; it's a place where the bizarre mingles with the beloved.

If you're a fan of the road less traveled, a history geek with a penchant for the peculiar, or just curious about the nooks and crannies of the world, prepare to be enthralled. Here are 12 weird facts about Texas that promise to surprise and delight.

Texas is the birthplace of Dr. Pepper, which was created in Waco in 1885, predating Coca-Cola by one year.
Texas produces more wind power than any other state and, if it were a country, it would rank fifth in the world for wind energy production.
Austin, Texas claims the title of "Live Music Capital of the World" with more live music venues per capita than anywhere else.
The Texas Capitol building in Austin is the largest of all state capitols and even larger than the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
Austin is home to the largest urban bat colony in North America, with up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats.
It’s called the "Lone Star State" because its flag bears a single star, a symbol of Texas's former status as an independent republic.
Dinosaur Valley State Park contains some of the best-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.

Huntsville, Texas is known as the execution capital of the world, where the state’s executions are carried out.
The USS Texas, docked near Houston, is the last remaining dreadnought that participated in both World Wars.
Texas is the only state to have the flags of 6 different nations fly over it: Spain, France, Mexico, the Republic of Texas, the Confederate States of America, and the United States.
Amarillo hosts the 72 oz. steak challenge where you eat a steak dinner over 4.5 pounds in one hour or less to get it for free.
The Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup includes a library that lets visitors check out snakes, similar to books, for educational purposes.