Texas has, at least, three national grassland locations. There are two within a couple hours of our house, LBJ and Caddo. One east and one west from Dallas. We went out west to Decatur to LBJ National Grasslands. We are nearly equadistant from both so, it’s like flipping a coin deciding which one to go to.
National Grassland areas fall under the US Forest Service … the only difference between a national forest and a national grassland is exactly as the titles of each imply. Keeping areas of the plains protected is just as important as protecting forests. It’s the same concept, exactly. Protected ares with picnic/camping areas, hiking trails. We didn’t camp, we really just went to look around and do a little hiking.
LBJ National Grassland
The main thing one notices is the openness of it all. Wide open expanses of grass. Lots and lots of wildflowers, trails, really nice spots for meditating, picnics, quiet time, reflection or whatever your thing is. The wide open spaces that we visited were breathtaking in their own way, moreover, we were really lost in all of the simple beauty. We didn’t see everything there is to see because the expanse is so large.
It is clear that the land within the park is returning to a natural state, although, it is also clear that this land was inhabited by humans not so long ago. Remnants of structures, the odd gravestone, fences are a few modern non native things one might see. All in all, we intend to spend more time at grassland areas, particularly in the spring and early summer.
We are attaching some of our pictures from our visit below. Visiting a national grassland for the first time, as we were, we had no idea exactly what to expect. What we found was well worth the time spent. It’s nice to know that we (collectively as Americans) are setting aside grasslands, as well as, forest lands for future generations.
One morning (June 16, 2012) we decided to drive out to Jacksboro, Texas to visit nearby Fort Richardson State Park. We usually take a look around the nearby town and look at shops and other things that might be open. I have driven back and forth through Jacksboro, many times. This day we stopped in pretty early, by 9 AM. We stopped in the town square, first, Since we stopped on a Saturday morning, early by town square standards, nothing was open. The courthouse stood absolutely closed. Still, we looked around and took a few pictures, prior to entering the park.
Fort Richardson State Park
When we arrived at the state park, we paid our entry fees and spoke to the rangers, got some maps then we set out to look around. Fort Richardson was built after the civil war and was used primarily as an outpost for the cavalry to deal with native uprisings. The fort was abandoned after about 15 years. It was reopened as a training post for soldiers during World War II. One of the US army’s most famous Batallions, the “Lost” Batallion, was housed at this location ready to head off to the pacific. When they reached the pacific theater, they were almost immediately captured by the Japanese and many of them ended up as slave prisoner labor building the Burma Railroad. The movie “The Bridge over the River Kwai” depicts these men. Almost 1/3 (167 men) died while in captivity.
The buildings of the fort are in varying degrees of wellness. Some are fully restored, some are in ruin. Many artifacts are available to be seen in the restored buildings. This is a huge complex, expect to walk, a lot, moreover, there are items stored in the area that have nothing to do with the fort and are interesting to look at. There is a massive steel through truss railroad bridge and the town’s first railroad depot, both stored in the immediate area. a short walk from the park grounds.
Impressions
All in all, both Jacksboro and Fort Richardson are worth the stop. I love the time we spent at the fort, yet, we want to spend more time in the town of Jacksboro. We plan to drive out, sometime, when everything is actually open for business. Maybe even take a walk and see some of the historic homes. While we feel like we have learned a whole lot about area history, yet, there is still much to learn. We will visit, again.
Things we’d like to do on our next visit to the area. For instance, we want to tour inside the courthouse! Further exploration of the town of Jacksboro, maybe even meet a few people and enjoy a beverage or two in a nice local place, maybe a meal. It will also be nice to look at some of the local neighborhoods …. typically, we meet some of the nicest people while just looking around. Riding bikes on the lost creek trail and maybe park for a while and just meditate. The entire trail is 16 to 18 miles out and back along a creek and a resovoir, as a result, that will make for a nice ride!
As we revisit and find new and interesting things in the area, we will add to this page.
Downtown JacksboroDowntown JacksboroDowntown Jacksboro ParkJack County Courthouse – Jacksboro, TX
Jack County Courthouse DoorsJack County Railroad TourStored Through Truss Railroad BridgeFirst Jacksboro Rail DepotRepublic of Texas – MoneyCornerstone 1885 Jack County Courthouse1885 Jack County Courthouse Bell and Cornerston Fort Richardson State Park EntryFort Richardson GatePost Commander QuartersPost Commander Quarters OfficePost HospitalPost Doctor StuffAntique US Army BedframeFort Richardson Magazine“Lost” Batallion MemorialHiking TrailHiking TrailPond (Rock Quarry)
Early 1900s Texas, yeah, that’s what it feels like. Except for modern homes, cars, technology …. Montague County still has a lot of the past to see …. a lot more than we actually expected, and it is everywhere. We visited the towns of Saint Jo, Illinois Bend, Spanish Fort, Nocona (YES! Where Nocona Boots used to come from!!), Ringgold, Bowie and Montague. Some of these towns had been devestated by wildfires, others were beautiful examples of early Texas Architecture. Each had its own personality and feeling. Out of respect, we did not photograph wildfire damage. Those are memories best left in the past …. The two themes in this area are The Chisolm Trail that actually came through, here, and crossed the Red River in the north end of the county and the Butterfield Overland Stage Coach that came through the county between the Stops of Gainesville and Bridgeport.
We came into Montague County via US Highway 82 from Muenster, in Cooke County. (By the way, Muenster has German-Fest coming up, in April, so we will be there, then). 1st town We stopped in was Saint Jo. The town of Saint Jo has a wonderful and spacious town square. Their town square is undergoing some much needed maintenance, but, it is not all closed up. Just like so many other Texas towns we have been to, the central areas of town are being revitalized and are being used. It was early and cold on this particular morning, but, there was life on the streets.
Being at the north end of the Chisolm Trail and knowing there were cowboys pushing cattle across the red river that would likely spend some time in town … the first permanent building built in this town in 1873 was a saloon. The Saloon is presently a museum open on Saturday and Sunday. There are also some Static interior displays in a couple buildings on the square. We went up on a Tuesday, so, it was not open for us. We’ll try to get by there, when we go to Muenster for German Fest.
Stonewall Saloon, St Jo, Texas
On the Northbound Lane of FM677, just south of town center, there is a bridge made of stone with three arches over the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. At the time it was built, it was clearly the only bridge. A newer southbound bridge was added at a later date, clearly two cars cannot pass each other on this bridge.
Stone Arch Bridge 1939, St Jo, Texas
One more Shot of Saint Jo. Town Square with covered water well and community Gazebo. I imagine it is quite lovely to be out there on summer nights with a couple guitar players and a singer ….
Saint Jo Town Square, Texas
Illinois Bend:
Heading Straight North out of Saint Jo on Farm Road 677, after a while you will come to the community of Illinois Bend. It’s called a ghost town, but, clearly there are people living in the area …. We saw some folks around as well as signs of daily lives and community.
Illinois Bend Texas – Gas Station, General Store, Home?? Appears Abandoned.
Illinois Bend, Texas Schoolhouse
Spanish Fort:
Continuing north on FM-677 will lead you to a town called spanish fort. Rumor has it that the early settlers mistook Indian sites as Spanish sites …. deriving the name “Spanish Fort”. The only thing of note is the old Spanish Fort High School building, built in 1924.
Spanish Fort High School 1924
Nocona:
Nocona is a fantastic little town in Montague County. Very nice, albeit somewhat decrepit in places, downtown area. They do have a really nice museum across the street from the old Nocona Boot factory called the “Tales and Trails Museum”. We highly recommend folks stop there and get educated on the history of Montague County as well as Nocona, Texas. The Horton Classic Car Museum is also an absolute “Must See”!! The old Nocona Boot factory is closed, but, is still there as of the day of our visit, unoccupied. Nocona was once on an MKT railroad line …. there is an old Rail Station in town, currently used as office space. Looks like an old MKT boxcar has been attached to it, not sure if the station we saw is the old MKT station, or not. There are a lot of historic markers and historic homes in town also. The Museum has put together a list. Stop into the Tales and TRails and make sure you get the list of historic sites in Nocona. Enjoy this little golden nugget of an old Texas town!
Nocona Boot Company, Inc. Nocona, Texas
Horton Classic Car Museum Nocona Texas
From Nocona to Ringgold we chose to use the dirt roads (Ranch Roads) that run up along the REd River. The Nothingness is not for the faint of heart. We spent an hour or so not seeing another human being, no structures, no cell phone service …. just dirt roads, cattle us, and the occasional strung up coyote.
Ringgold:
Ringgold was very …. well, upsetting. The wildfire damage is still very visible. We did run across something pretty cool …. a bridge built with depression highway funds, likely. At the intersection of US 82 and US 81 go north on US 81 and turn right on the dirt road …. the bridge is just down that dirt road a little ways …..
Dirt Ranch Roads between Nocona and Ringgold
Texas State Highway Department 1935 Contractor LJ Miles
In retrospect, which is always the case …. I wish we had really looked closer at this bridge and maybe taken a few more shots ….
Bowie:
Bowie …. This town is on my list to explore, more. The wife and daughter were getting really tired by the time we arrived in Bowie. They were wanting to get done already. LOL!! There is definitely a building in Bowie that throws a person right into the old west …. Heard’s Hardware – Furniture & Appliances. Downtown Bowie is nice, and old. I really wish we had spent a little more time, there. They put on “Jim Bowie Days”, so, we will be back!!
Montague, Texas is the County Seat of Montague County. The downtown area has definitely seen better days. There are a few businesses downtown, and a couple of old, old Gas Stations. The Montague County Courthouse is the centerpiece, and it is a beautiful as well as imposing relic. Architecturally it is mainly a Greek Revival structure. There is a set of windmills as you enter town from the south. We aren’t sure what they are there for, a collection?, a display?, just a novelty we didn’t ecpect to see. Made the trip to Montague even better.
Montague County Courthouse, Montague, Texas
Windmill Collection Montague, Texas
More Information:
Everywhere you look in Montague County, there are vestiges of the Old west. This Texas county deserves some attention from sightseeing folks. There is so much to see!! From anywhere in DFW Metroplex, this is but a day trip. Get out there and Explore!
We woke up one saturday morning thinking we needed to do something. We knew there was a state park out there, but, really didn’t know any more than that. So we loaded up a few rations and headed out toward Jacksboro, just to look around.
Jacksboro:
Heading into town on US 82 Westbound, the first thing that jumps out at you is a massive shell of a Drive-In screen and bones of the snack bar / ticket booth. The Mesquite Drive-In Theater parking area is now used for grazing cattle.
In Jacksboro, the town square is small, but, nice. Beautifully crafted courthouse for Jack county is the centerpiece. A few shops and cafes surround it. We were there on a Saturday, early, so most was closed, but, the downtown area looks clean and mostly in use during the week. Several really old buildings face the courthouse, a couple are architecturally stunning. Several Buildings on the square are crafted from limestone, which seems to have been extensively used in the town.
Fort Richardson Hotel – On the Square
Eastburn Building 1898
Another Example of Limestone Use on the Square:
Buildings / Park on the Square
County Courthouse:
Jack County Courthouse – Jacksboro, TX
Some of the detail work is amazing. There is even an old apparent spittoon at the front door being used as an ashtray ….
Jack County Courthouse Front Door Detail
After researching, post-visit, we did discover we missed a few things. We hope to return to Jacksboro, during the week, at some point in the not too distant future.
Fort Richardson:
The highlight of this trip was absolutely Fort Richardson State Park. Several buildings have been restored and have period accurate displays. We started in the interpretive center. The displays in this building are mostly about area history. Starting with Native Americans through the early part of the 20th Century. Several artifacts are on display including Republic of Texas bank notes, declaration of independence (a copy), statehood, railroad memorabilia, arrowheads and the like. This interpretive center is located in what was, originally, officers quarters.
Fort Richardson – Officers Quarters / Interpretive Center
We moved on to the largest building on the site. The hospital. Amazing amounts of period hospital furnishings and equipment.
Fort Richardson – Hospital
Other structures: Morgue, Bakery, Guard House, Comissary, Commander’s house (beautifully period furnished), Barracks (complete with beds, lockers)
Fort Richardson was a cavalry fort in the mid to late 1800s. It was deactivated around the turn of the 20th century. It was reactivated just prior to World War II. The most notable piece of history pertaining to modern times is “the lost batallion” that participated in building the death railroad (Burma-Siam Railway) as well as the Bridge Over the River Kwai, for the Japanese, were from this fort.
Lost Batallion – 131st Field Artillery
Also on the Grounds of The park (or just outside the actual boundary) are relics of transportation. An old Railroad Trestle Iron through truss, relocated from somewhere and a railroad depot. The railroad depot, legend has it, is the original Jacksboro depot and was constructed in an attempt to entice the railroad to come. The railroad did come and connect Jacksboro to Fort Worth. Another depot was built years later in a different location, it has been restored and today houses the Chamber of Commerce offices.
Railroad Trestle
Jacksboro Old Railroad Depot
No trip to Fort Richardson State Park is complete unless one hikes a couple trails and soaks in a good dose of nature.
Plan a day, and get out there!! It is well worth seeing!!
We were looking for something to do, today. We looked through the events catalog for the lakes and prairies area of Texas (AKA North East Texas) and Mineola’s “Invitation to Musicians to play in the Gazebo” started today!! 🙂 So, in true form I map out this whole route …. out on US 80 … stop at Terrell, Wills Point, Edgewood, Grand Saline, on to Mineola. Saw a few things along the way …. Our plan was to arrive at 11 … stake out an area to listen to some bluegrass or country Jamming have lunch see the town and head back using US 69 South out of Mineola stop at the Mineola Wildlife Preserve and on to Lindale pick up TX 16 West over to Canton then 243 out of Canton into Kaufman then US 175 out of Kaufman back to Dallas.
Everything went Perfect!! EXCEPT NO MUSICIANS SHOWED UP!! lol!! We about half expected that, anyway. No harm. We spent the day traveling, and that is exactly what we wanted to do. We had lunch at the East Texas Burger Company right in Downtown Mineola and it Was fantastic!! Excellent Food, Excellent Service, Excellent atmosphere!! Make sure you try it!! AND the fried Pie was Fabulous!! (We had Peach and Apricot) East Texas Burger
We went to the Mineola Historical Museum in the old post office (It’s free, but, donations are accepted … and if you are like us you will be compelled to leave one) That place was amazing!! So many artifacts to see, it is well worth the time it takes to look.
Mineola Historical Museum
We learned the there were two rail lines in Mineola in the old days. Texas and Pacific ran Dallas to Mineola and International and Great Northern ran Mineola to Tyler.
Texas and Pacific Caboose #13553 and the Historic Turn of the Century Beckham Hotel
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