Historic Sites
Acton State Historical Park
The park is the burial site of Elizabeth Crockett, second wife of Davy Crockett, who married him in Tennessee in 1815. She died January 31, 1860. Since Crockett fought for Texas and died at the Alamo, his heirs were eligible for a land grant, but Mrs. Elizabeth Crockett did not claim her grant until 1853. By that time all choice land was claimed and she had to give surveyor half of her land for locating a tract worth claiming. This land was in northeast Hood County Near Acton. For information call: (817)645-4215
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Port Isabel Lighthouse State Historical Park
In the 1800s, the low-lying Texas coast made charting a seagoing course extremely difficult, and a number of captains requested that something be done. The Port Isabel Lighthouse was constructed in 1852, near sites of Civil War Battle of Palmito Ranch (1865) and Mexican War Battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. The old Texas lighthouses declined in importance over the years. Newer towers with more powerful fixtures were built at the turn of the century, and the Depression years meant that less money was available for keeping the lighthouses lit. The emergence of railroads provided a direct link between Corpus Christi and the interior of Mexico, and this meant less commercial shipping. As a result, the Port Isabel light was extinguished in 1905. The lighthouse fell into neglect until the Texas State Parks Board provided funds for restoration in 1947. Dedicated as a state park in 1952, the historic landmark has become a popular tourist attraction. A major renovation of the 143-year-old, 60-foot tall, brick structure is slated for the fall of 1997, during which time the lighthouse will be closed. The City of Port Isabel has come up with a $150,000 grant to match federal ISTEA (Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act) monies that have been allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation for the $610,000 lighthouse renovation. For information call: (956)943-2262
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Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park
The park's location is historically significant since it is in the heart of the former President's home country. The area has been influenced by three major cultures: Native Americans, Spanish and German. Indians roamed the Hill Country first, leaving behind artifacts which tell of their nomadic life. The Spanish conquistadors followed, bringing a culture which was to endure to the present. German immigrants settled the Hill Country in the early 1800s and their descendants still call it home. Their culture has had a major impact on the development of the region and the park itself. All of these cultures are represented at the park. The 269-acre facility was officially dedicated in August 1970 in a ceremony attended by the Johnson family and a host of dignitaries. Since the dedication, the park has been expanded to approximately 732.75 acres. For information call: (830)644-2252
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Caddoan Mounds State Historical Park
It was the home of Mound Builders of Caddoan origin who lived in the region for 500 years beginning about A.D. 800. See" Temples and Tombs of an Ancient People," a TPWD publication on the history of Caddoan Mounds. Also, the Friends of Caddoan Mounds State Historical Park are rebuilding a Caddo House at the park. The park offers exhibits and interpretive trails through its reconstructed sites of Caddo dwellings and ceremonial areas, including two temple mounds, a burial mound, and a village area. For information call: (409)858-3218
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Mission Tejas State Historical Park
The park was built in 1934 by Co. 888 of Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the first Spanish mission in the province of Texas, which was established in 1690. Also in the park is the restored Rice Family Log Home, built in 1828 and restored in 1974. The home, which Joseph Redmund Rice, Sr. constructed between 1828 and 1838, is one of the oldest structures in the area. The home served as a stopover for immigrants, adventurers, and local residents traveling the Old San Antonio Road across pioneer Texas. Activities include camping; picnicking; hiking; and fishing. A pond located near the picnic area offers an excellent opportunity to explore aquatic life and fish. Hiking and nature trails provide access to the natural beauty of the east Texas Pineywoods. The dogwood are beautiful the last week or so of March, usually around the 25th. For information call: (409)687-2394
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Tourist Attractions
Adventure Bay
12 acres of water highlighted by Houston's only Master Blaster, a water coaster that defies gravity and sends its riders uphill! Explore Pirates Cove children's area with its huge interactive pirate ship. Brave the waves in Paradise Bay wave pool, or relax and unwind in Rio Lento, the laziest of rivers. For the daring, there are plenty of thrills in the Lost Falls Speedslides and Slidewinders Tube Rides. Relax at the Galley and full service food and beverage court. For information call: (409)498-SWIM
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Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden
A 66-acre haven of natural beauty only minutes from downtown Dallas. Headquarters is in the Camp Estate, designed by Texas' most famous residential architect, John Staub, and completed in 1938. Also on grounds is historic DeGolyer House, a magnificent Spanish Colonial-style mansion built in 1940 by Texas oil man Everett DeGolyer. Mansion of 21,000 square feet has 13 rooms, 7 baths, 16th- and 17th-Century antiques, and artworks; surrounded by Old English garden, footpaths, rolling lawns, and woodlands on White Rock Lake. Twenty-five acres of ornamental gardens and forty-one acres of natural woodland create an oasis in the heart of one of Dallas' oldest neighborhoods. The Arboretum creates a rotating display of seasonal color. Special events occur every month. For information call: (214)327-8263
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Six Flags Over Texas
The famed 200-acre theme park features fun and fantasy in settings of lavish landscaping. Rides include breathtakers like the "Texas Giant," a massive wooden roller coaster that climbs 143 feet into the sky, then takes off for a ride reaching a top speed of 62 mph (voted three times the top roller coaster in the world), and the chilling Mr. Freeze, the tallest and fastest coaster in Texas where guests are launched through a 190-ft. tunnel reaching speeds of 70 mph into a totally vertical climb to a dizzying height of 218 feet, along 1,300 feet of track; then Mr. Freeze gets his revenge sending victims through the entire coaster again - in reverse! Other rides include the "Texas Chute-Out," a 17-story parachute drop, the "G-Force Anti-Gravitational Text Facility" whose gondolas drop like falling elevators, and the huge "Shock Wave" double-loop roller coaster. Then, there's the "Flashback," a roller coaster ride that drops from a 125-ft. tower and careens through three loops at speeds of 55 mph, and just when you think its over, you relive the experience--this time backwards! Elegant mid-1920s carousel, "The Silver Star," restored to all its grandeur with some 66 prancing wooden horses, welcomes visitors just behind the park's landmark flags and fountain. Roaring Rapids offers white-water boating thrills. Runaway Mountain, a wild roller coaster ride, carries thrill-seekers through a giant 65-foot tall mountain at high-speed horizontal spirals in the dark. In the shadows of the mountain sits Gator McGee's Mountain Grill, a restaurant with entertainment and stories by Gator McGee. "The Right Stuff Mach 1 Adventure" combines high-tech movie images, surrounding sound, and a computerized motion system which creates the full sensations of supersonic flight. Once inside a replica of an Edwards Air Force Base hangar, guests will be strapped into cockpit seats and the sky's the limit from there--twisting, turning, and zooming through clouds on the mission of a lifetime--all without ever leaving the ground. For information call: (817)640-8900
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Dallas Zoo
The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals, including many rare and endangered species, such as okapis, snow leopards, tuataras, and much more. Nationally renowned reptile collection, interactive Reptile Discovery Center, and walk-through rain forest aviary. For information call: (214)670-5656
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Japanese Garden
An enchanting six-acre garden of Oriental design featuring a pagoda, moon-viewing deck, teahouse, and meditation garden amid lush exotic plants. For information call: (817)871-7685
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