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Fort Parker State Park

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Coordinates: 31°36′13″N 96°33′03″W / 31.60361°N 96.55083°W / 31.60361; -96.55083
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Fort Parker State Park
Fort Parker State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Parker State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Parker State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Parker State Park
Map showing the location of Fort Parker State Park
LocationLimestone County, Texas
Nearest cityMexia, Texas
Coordinates31°36′13″N 96°33′03″W / 31.60361°N 96.55083°W / 31.60361; -96.55083
Area1,458.8 acres (590.4 ha)[1]
Established1941; 83 years ago (1941)
Visitors50,432 (in 2022)[2]
Governing bodyTexas Parks and Wildlife Department[3]

Fort Parker State Park is a state park near the City of Mexia in Limestone County, Texas, United States. The city of Mexia and three local landowners donated the land creating the park in 1935.[3] From 1935 to 1942, Civilian Conservation Corps Company 3807(C) built roads, recreational facilities, the concession building and a 423-foot (129 m) dam of limestone, concrete, and soil across the Navasota River, creating Lake Fort Parker. The park was dedicated by former Texas Governor Pat Neff and opened to the public in May 1941.[1]

Old Fort Parker, their spring is located on the left

Fort Parker State Park has three hike-and-bike trails: Springfield trail (1.5-mile loop), Navasota River Trail (0.5 mile one way), and Baines Creek Trail (2.5 miles one way). The Bur Oak Trail (0.5-mile loop) is a nature trail with an interpretive guide pamphlet available.

Trees in the park include bur oak, water oak, blackjack oak, pecan, and eastern red cedar (juniper). Other plants that can be found are American beautyberry and sumac.

Inside the park is the Old Springfield Cemetery, all that remains of the once-thriving community of Springfield, Texas. Springfield was once the county seat of Limestone County and thrived during the 1840s and 1850s, but as men left for the Civil War, the town's businesses began to close. After the war, racial conflict and lawlessness occurred. The railroad passed Springfield by for the towns of Mexia and Groesbeck, and the town of Springfield disappeared.

The Fort Parker Nature Center is open every weekend. Canoe, kayaks, and paddleboats are available for rental. Day use, overnight camping, group barracks, an activity center, and a picnic pavilion are all available for rent.

Old Fort Parker

The CCC Company also rebuilt nearby Old Fort Parker, the site of the Fort Parker massacre, for the Texas Centennial observance in 1936. As an independent nonprofit, Old Fort Parker is not part of the state park.

  • Old Fort Parker Blockhouse
    Old Fort Parker Blockhouse
  • Old Fort Parker interior
    Old Fort Parker interior
  • John Parker marker
    John Parker marker
  • Texas historical marker in Crowell, Texas
    Texas historical marker in Crowell, Texas

References

  1. ^ a b "Fort Parker State Park, a Texas". Archived from the original on 2010-02-04. Retrieved 2010-04-26.
  2. ^ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "TPWD: Fort Parker State Park". Retrieved 2010-04-26.
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