Pictorial History of Fort Wolters, Volume 13: Police, Fire, Training Aids, Band, Weather Squadron, Recreation, Prisoner of War Camp, Nike, Camp Wolters Enterprise, Parks Page: 83 of 212
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FORT WOLTERS RECREATION CENTER
The Fort Wolters Recreation Area was located 35 miles northwest of Fort Wolters on
Park Road 36. The area covers some 20,000 areas of water fun for any water enthusiast who
enjoys fishing and sailing. The area was leased from the Brazos River Authority.
The facilities at PK were available to all military personnel. It was an excellent place to
visit with the family. Areas were set aside for swimming (one area set aside for children with life
guards on the weekends) good hiking trails and family RV camp sites.
Perhaps the biggest attraction to PK was fishing. Anglers enjoyed catching sand or black
bass or trying for the mighty catfish. Even some of the smaller fish would nibble at your toes
while relaxing on one of the fishing docks. All that was required of military personnel was a Texas
fishing license, your fishing gear and bait.
Boats could be rented for fishing or for pleasure with or without motors, gas if needed,
and life preservers. The Center had 20 boats and 12 motors ready for use. The hourly rates were
very reasonable. Sailing was a popular sport for many years. Fort Wolter had one or two man
"Sunfish" sailboats ready for hire. Amateurs and experts alike enjoyed a lazy afternoon sailing
while soaking up some sun. With the sailboats racing up and down the lake in front of the
Recreation Center lake front was a very pretty view from the cabins on the north side of the lake.
Until 1967, the area offered nine air-conditioned cabins and several RV parking spaces..
The cabins would accommodate six people. Each had a refrigerator, gas stove and electricity.
The rental fee also included linen and blankets. These cabins could be rented by the day, over
night and by the week. Reservations had to be made through the Special Service Office at Fort
Wolters. There was always a shortage of cabins during the spring, summer and fall months.
In 1967, Fort Wolters was able to secure non-approperated funds to build some two-story
condominiums with all the modern convinces. On the ground floor was a sitting (relaxing) area,
kitchen and front porch. Up the spiral stair steps was a bathroom and six bunker beds. From the
up-stair balcony, one could see a large area of the Possum Kingdom Lake. Most of the families
who used these facilities brought their own linen, blankets and towels. However, these items
could be rented. The furniture for the units wase selected by Mrs. Madge Holder, wife of Ltc
John Holder, U. S. Army Primary Helicopter center controller and Colonel Lloyd G. Huggins,
Center commander. Built at a cost of one-half million dollars and was dedicated November 11,
1969.
An additional one story condominium was built for single officers and Warrant Officer
Candidates. There was a relaxing area, 20 bunk beds and other convinces for a nice weekend.
The Fort Wolters Post Exchange put in a small PX for the convince of the patrons who
forgot their tooth paste and shaving gear. They also carried fishing equipment camping
equipment and some souvenirs
Written from memory by Colonel Willie Casper, U. S. Army (Ret.)
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Casper, Willie H., Jr. Pictorial History of Fort Wolters, Volume 13: Police, Fire, Training Aids, Band, Weather Squadron, Recreation, Prisoner of War Camp, Nike, Camp Wolters Enterprise, Parks, book, Date Unknown; (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth25111/m1/83/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Boyce Ditto Public Library.