Texas City: Belgium's Vanished Western Village Born from Expo 58's Ruins

Hidden behind the KV Tremelo football pitch in Flemish Brabant lies Texas City, Belgium's oldest Western-style village. This unique settlement is not a modern imitation but a genuine relic from the 1958 Brussels World Expo, Expo 58. Originally part of a Wild West Show that tragically went bankrupt, the village's structures and performers found a new home in Tremelo.

Millions visited Expo 58, and the American pavilion was a major draw. However, a Wild West Show set up near the station also captured attention. Featuring cowboys, cowgirls, and Native Americans, they brought horses, wagons, and even a bison to Brussels. Disaster struck on the second day when a storm destroyed the show's tent, leading to the organizers declaring bankruptcy and disappearing with the funds. To finance their return to America, performers were forced to sell their equipment and horses, with Belgian entertainer Bobbejaan Schoepen reportedly making a significant purchase.

Marcel Kesteman, a passionate cowboy enthusiast, acquired most of the Western village's buildings in 1958. He struck a deal with the remaining Americans: they would help him reconstruct the village on his land in Tremelo, and in return, he would organize shows and use the profits to send them home. This agreement led to the establishment of Texas City, which opened in 1959. The village quickly became a popular attraction, with its shows drawing large crowds. A romantic connection even blossomed between Kesteman's daughter, Josée, and one of the Native American performers, Chief David Beautiful Bald Eagle of the Lakota.

Texas City thrived for decades, serving as a backdrop for music videos and photoshoots, even hosting recording sessions for the band The Who. However, by the 1980s, visitor interest began to decline. Despite the fading popularity, the village's historical significance was recognized, and it is now protected as a heritage site. Currently, Texas City is not open to the public, leaving its unique history preserved but inaccessible.

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If you help me set up the buildings on my land in Tremelo, we will organize shows there. With the money we earn, I will ensure you can return to America.