Sour Lake is the oldest surviving city in Hardin County, Texas and is located 14 miles east of Beaumont, TX. Sour Lake was originally named "Sour Lake Springs," after the sulphurous spring water that poured into the lake nearby. There are no shortages of Trade Shows or Festivals in Sour Lake, including the South Texas State Fair, the Texas Rice Festival, the Village Creek Festival and Larry's Old Time Trade Days. Other destinations that you won't want to miss include Idylwild Golf Club, Big Thicket National Preserve and Village Creek State Park, Bertha Cornwell Museum, Strawberry Fields Cottage, Sour Lake Antique Mall, Neicy's Nest, Coyote Blu, Bruno and George Winery and the Alma Carpenter Library.