Heritage, Art and Culture

Known as the Norwegian Capital of Texas, Clifton and the surrounding area was settled by Norwegian and German immigrants in the mid-1800s. Nearby Norse is the final resting place of Cleng Peerson, internationally recognized as the "Father of Norwegian Immigration to America."

Visitors to Clifton may explore the vast collection of pioneer Norwegian articles at the Bosque Memorial Museum, or take the Cleng Peerson Memorial Highway west to the Norse Historic District. Sites along the route include many 19th century homes and churches, among them Our Savior's Lutheran Church, established in 1869.

The church is the annual site of the Norse Smorgasbord, a feast of traditional foods introduced to the area by Norwegian settlers. Further down the road a Lutefisk dinner is held annually in Cranfills Gap, near the site of the historic Old Rock Church.

Clifton celebrates its Norwegian heritage each year with the Norwegian Country Christmas Tour, held the first Saturday of December. The daylong event features demonstrations of Norwegian crafts, tours of homes and buildings harkening back to the days of the early settlers, and many other related activities. The 1999 tour was a featured Road Trip appearing in the November 1999 issue of Texas Highways.

Clifton is home to the Bosque Conservatory. Housed in a magnificent 3-story building that was the former Main Hall of Clifton College, the organization offers a local outlet for visual and performing arts unparalleled in a city of Clifton's size. Among its many offerings are a performing theatre, classes in a variety of subjects, an annual photography show and a nationally recognized art show.

Clifton has twice been designated as one of the top 100 small art communities in the nation. It is home to nationally recognized artists, including several members of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America.