Founded in 1873, Albany is the oldest town on the Texas Forts Trail and the county seat of Shackelford County. With roots stretching back to the days of Fort Griffin and the cattle drives that helped shape the American West, Albany has long been a place where frontier spirit meets enduring community values. Its historic downtown square, lined with limestone buildings, reflects a legacy of resilience and pride that continues today. Albany is home to the renowned Old Jail Art Center—one of the region’s finest cultural institutions—and the beloved Fort Griffin Fandangle, the longest running outdoor musical in Texas. From its early days as a frontier outpost to its present-day role as a center for arts, history, and hospitality, Albany stands as a vibrant reminder of Texas’s storied past and its bright future.
