Texas Almanac, 1949-1950 Page: 431
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STATE PARKS. 431
a large swimming pool. A golf course, picnic
and playground equipment are available.
Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park is
situated on new and old banks of the Rio
Grande. It is unique for its grove which in-
cludes many ebony trees. On the international
boundary, the principal park roadway leads
to a river point with a view of the neighbor-
ing Republic of Mexico across the stream.
One of the newer parks, its permanent devel-
opment is waiting on final routing of water-
ways.
Big Spring State Park is on U.S. Highways
87 and 80 at the south city limits of the city
of the same name. The park consists of 349
acres, including the high mesa at the top of
impressive Big Spring Mountain from which
one of the most remarkable views in the
Southwest is afforded. At night the lights of
the city below present a fairyland picture.
Picnic areas, a park pavilion and dancing ter-
race are provided.
Blanco State Park is named for the swift-
running Blanco River which crosses U.S.
Highway 281 at the main entrance to the
park. It is in the beautiful section of South-
west Texas in the heart of the deer and wild
turkey country. The park has 110 acres and
runs along both sides of the river. At two
places the river is dammed to form lakes
which are popular with fishermen. The park
has camping, picnicking, playground, exhibi-
tion and rodeo areas and appropriate perma-
nent park buildings.
Bonham State Park in Northeast Texas is
three and a half miles southwest of Bonham
on a well paved county road. It is on a beau-
tiful rolling site of 555 acres with a 65-acre
lake. The profuse growth of hackberry, hick-
ory, post oak, walnut, redbud and pecan
trees furnishes the setting for especially fine
picnicking areas while the lake offers swim-
ming, boating and unusually good fishing.
There is a large dance terrace between the
lake and concessions building, playgrounds
and a popular miniature golf course.
Buescher State Park of 1,730 acres is a mile
northwest of Smithville on Texas State High-
way 71. It is a heavily timbered area with
hanging curtains of Spanish moss adding to
the beauty of the trees. A small fishing lake,
a Scout shelter and a combination building
with dance terrace are available with large
camping and picnic areas with outdoor fire-
places. The scenic park drive that connects
it with nearby Bastrop State Park passes
through some of the most beautiful parts of
Buescher Park.
Caddo Lake State Park is in a 485-acre for-
est bordering on Caddo Lake. The 30-mile long
waterway is reputed to be one of the greatest
white perch haunts in the country. Huge cy-
press trees rise out of the lake water, the
"knees" creating barriers through which
channels have been cut for navigation. The
ark refectory building of native stone and
gs is one of the largest park structures in
the state a d combines the functions of a
clubhouse ard dining center. Log cabins near
the refectory make it desirable for organized
camping and -pvide overnight quarters for
the fishermen. A dance terrace and picnicking
facilities are available.
Cleburne State Park's 471 acres are situ-
ated in valley land and rolling hills in a
densely timbered area twelve miles southwest
of the city of Cleburne on Texas Highway
174. The timber provides shade for numerous
pleasant picnic areas while the 116-acre lake
offers fine sport in angling for cat. bream
and crappie. A combination concessions and
boathouse building on the lake shore is
equipped with an outdoor terrace for dancing.
Swimming and camping areas are provided
and playgrounds for children. Overnight ac-
commodations are available.Daingerfield State Park is in one of the
most beautiful park settings that can hbe,
found. Its high, heavily wooded 481 acres sur-
round an 80-acre lake that mirrors the tall
trees that line its shores. The lake furnishes
swimming and boating as well as good fish-
Ing. An attractive combination building is lo-
cated on a peninsula from which the boating
and swimming can be viewed by those who
do not participate in it. Facilities of the park
include overnight accommodations, a dance
terrace, camping, picnicking and playground
equipment. The park is two miles southeast
of Daingerfield on Texas State Highway 49.
Davis Mountains State Park is popular for
its mile-high climate, views of Texas' prin-
cipal mountain peaks and comfortable Indian
Lodge. This remarkable lodge building in
which modern conveniences have been housed
In an adobe structure reminiscent of the cave
dwellers is constructed at different levels so
that most of the sixteen rooms and apart-
ments have different views of the mountain
areas. The 1.541-acre park and its lodge are
five miles west of historic Fort Davis on the
same scenic drive that leads to McDonald Ob-
servatory atop Mount Locke. Facilities include
a dining room, dancing, riding trails and
picnic areas.
Fort Griffin State Park on U.S. Highway
283, fifteen miles north of Albany, includes in
its 503 acres the picturesque ruins of the old
frontier military post from which it takes its
name. This park has been chosen as home for
a small herd of typical Longhorn cattle. Gaunt
walls of the powder magazine, the commis-
sary, stone bake house and one of the of-
ficer's buildings are still standing as well as
one of the ranch homes of the era. There are
picnicking and camping sites on the old mili-
tary reservation and fishing in the Brazos
River.
Fort Parker State Park, about midway be-
tween Mexia and Groesbeck on Texas State
Highway 14. includes 1.510 acres of woodland
and beautiful Lake Springfield. The 750-acre
lake with eight and a half miles of shoreline
provides every opportunity for fishing, boat-
ing and swimming. Its clubhouse with dance
terrace overlooking the lake is popular with
groups that frequently meet there. A paved
highway connects the recreational park with
Old Fort Parker State Park. In this park
there has been erected a replica of the stock-
ade and buildings from which Cynthia Ann
Parker was kidnaped by hostile Indians in a
raid upon the little group from Illinois in
1836.
Frio State Park is a convenient rest spot for
travelers between San Antonio and Laredo or
Eagle Pass at the location where the Frlo
River crosses U.S. Highway 81 near Dilley.
Fishing, picnicking and camping facilities are
available.
Garner State Park, named for former Vice-
President John Nance Garner. Is thirty miles
north of his Uvalde home in the heart of the
scenic Frlo Canyon. Its 640 acres include the
highest point in Uvalde County-2,000 feet
elevation, foothills, crags, ravines, caves and
tree-shaded camping and picnicking areas
along the crystal clear Frio River. A large
concessions building with dance terrace above
the river, includes a dining room. For vaca-
tioning and overnight guests there are cabins
and camping areas. There are also picnic
areas, fishing and horseback riding facilities
and playground equipment.
Goose Island State Park, where sea fishing
is available, consists of 157 acres on St.
Charles and Aransas Bays, two miles east of
Copano Bay on the Texas Gulf Coast. Its en-
trance is ten miles northeast of Rockport on
State Highway 35. Beside its facilities for
boating, oystering, crabbing and sea fishing it
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Texas Almanac, 1949-1950, book, 1949; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117167/m1/433/: accessed May 6, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.