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.
Another Example of Limestone Use on the Square:
County Courthouse:
Some of the detail work is amazing. There is even an old apparent spittoon at the front door being used as an ashtray ….
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.
We moved on to the largest building on the site. The hospital. Amazing amounts of period hospital furnishings and equipment.
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.
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.
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!!
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