Texas Almanac, 1994-1995 Page: 621
672 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this book.
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Recreation
vehicles (including motor homes) and are open to camping.
Fifty-five miles of beach are accessible only by 4x4 vehi-
cles. All 55 miles of beach are aso open to camping. Com-
mercial lodging available outside boundaries of National
Seashore. There were 849,873 daily visits in 1992.
Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site,
Brownsville, contains the site of the first major battle in
the Mexican-American War. The battle was fought on
May 8, 1836, and represents the first battle of the campaign
in northeast Mexico led by General Zachary Taylor. His-
torical markers are located at the junction of state highways
1847 and 511. There is no site access at this time, and
there are no public facilities. For additional information, call
the park superintendent at (512) 548-2788
Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River is a 191.2-
mile strip on the American shore of the Rio Grande in the
Chihuahuan Desert that protects the river. It begins in Big
Bend National Park and continues downstream to the Ter-
rell-Val Verde County line. There are federal facilities in Big
Bend National Park only. There were 962 daily visits in
1992, with 6,943 overnight stays.
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
consists of four Spanish Colonial Missions - Concepci6n,
San Jos6, San Juan and Espada - and two of the best-
preserved remains of the Spanish Colonial irrigation
system in the United States represented in the Espada
dam and aqueduct. Also in the park is a Spanish Colonial
Demonstration farm watered by a revitalized acequia sys-
tem at Mission San Juan. Acquisition is pending for the site
of Las Cabras, the colonial ranch of Mission Espada. All
were crucial elements to Spanish settlement on the Texas
frontier. When Franciscan attempts to establish a chain of
missions in East Texas in the late 1600s failed, the Spanish
Crown ordered the missions transferred to the lush valley
of the San Antonio River in 1731, where they flourished un-
til secularization was complete in 1824. One of the principal
institutions of settlement on Spain's northern frontier, the
missions of San Antonio, today part of the National Park
System, are physical reminders of a glorious chapter in
Spanish Colonial history. The approximately 600-acre park
is located in the city of San Antonio. The four missions,
which are still in use today as active parishes, are open to
the public from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., CST and 9:00 a.m.
to 6:00 p.m. DST. For more information, write to the park at
2202 Roosevelt Avenue., San Antonio 78210-4919; (210)
229-5701. There were 950,496 visits in 1992.
National Wildlife Refuges
In addition to the many state and national parks that
can be reached from most major cities in Texas, there are
18 national wildlife refuges, 16 of which may be visited at
different times of the year for bird watching and wildlife
viewing. It is best to write before visiting to check on facili-
ties available and to be sure the refuge is open to visitors at
that time. Addresses are given at the ends of the descrip-
tions of the 16 refuges.
Texas has more than 416,000 acres set aside in its 18
national wildlife refuges. Included in this acreage are two
conservation easement refuges, Little Sandy and Moody
National Wildlife Refuges, where the Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice does not have management responsibility. Short
sketches of the other refuges are given below from informa-
tion supplied by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S.
Department of the Interior.
Anahuac: The more than 30,000 acres of this refuge
are located along the upper Texas Gulf Coast in Chambers
County. The fresh and saltwater marshes and miles of
beautiful, sweeping coastal prairie provide wintering hab-
itat for large concentrations of geese and other waterfowl.
The peregrine falcon and bald eagle, both endangered
species, also find protection on the refuge. Other species
of interest include the alligator, mottled duck, wood stork
and least tern. Fishing, bird watching and waterfowl hunt-
ing are available. Address: Box 278, Anahuac 77514.
Phone (409)267-3337.
Aransas: The main body of the refuge and the refuge
headquarters are located midway between Rockport and
Port Lavaca on the Gulf Coast seven miles southeast of
Austwell on FM 2040. This refuge comprises 58,702 acres
in three units on the mainland, with additional acreage on
Matagorda Island (see below). The three mainland unitsconsist of oak woodlands, fresh and saltwater marshes
and coastal grasslands. Besides providing wintering
grounds for the endangered whooping crane, the refuge is
home many species of waterfowl and other migratory birds.
This refuge sports the largest number of bird species of any
refuge in the country. Bird life abounds from fall through
May. White-tailed deer, javelinas, alligators and many
other species of wildlife can be found. The refuge is open
every day from sunrise to sunset. A wildlife interpretive cen-
ter is open 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving
and Christmas, offering information and educational exhib-
its. Other facilities include a 40-foot observation tower at
the edge of a whooping crane marsh, a 16-mile paved auto
tour loop and six walking trails. Free. Address: Box 100,
Austwell 77950. Phone (512) 286-3559.
Attwater Prairie Chicken: Established on July 1,
1972, to preserve habitat for the endangered Attwater's
prairie chicken, the refuge comprises 7,980 acres of land
consisting of native prairie, potholes, sandy knolls and
some wooded areas. A 5-mile auto tour route is available
year-round, and 350 acres of marsh are accessible for bird-
ing. Hours of access to the refuge are sunrise to sunset. Of-
fice hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday. Address: Box 519, Eagle Lake 77434. Phone (409)
234-3021.
Balcones Canyonlands: The newest national wild-
life refuge in Texas was dedicated on October 16, 1992.
Located in the Hill Country, northwest of Austin, it was es-
tablished to protect the nesting habitat of two birds on the
federal list of endangered species: black-capped vireo
and golden-cheeked warbler. These birds are also known
as neo-tropical migrants, because they nest in the United
States but winter in Mexico and Central and South America.
Acquisition is progressing slowly: About 8,000 acres had
been purchased by early March 1993. Eventually, the ref-
uge will encompass 41,000 acres of oak-juniper wood-
lands and other habitats. No public facilities are available at
this time; Viewing must be done from public roadways. Ad-
dress: 611 E. 6th Street, Room 403-C, Austin 78701. Phone
(512) 482-5700.
Big Boggy: This refuge occupies 4,526 acres of
coastal prairie and salt marsh along East Matagorda Bay
on the Gulf Coast for the benefit of wintering waterfowl, at-
tracting thousands of ducks and geese to its ponds and
potholes. The refuge is generally closed, and visitors are
encouraged to visit nearby San Bernard or Brazoria ref-
uges. Waterfowl hunting is permitted in season. Address:
Box 1088, Angleton 77516. Phone (409) 849-7771.
Brazorla: The 42,338 acres of this refuge, located
along the Gulf coast in Brazoria County, serve as haven for
wintering waterfowl and a wide variety of other migratory
birds. The refuge also supports many marsh and water
birds, from roseate spoonbills and great blue herons to
white ibis and sandhill cranes. Brazoria Refuge is within
the Freeport Christmas Bird Count circle, which frequent-
ly achieves the highest number of species seen in a 24-hour
period. The refuge has an open house the first weekend of
every month throughout the year, when visitors can drive
the refuge tour route to observe wildlife in a coastal environ-
ment. Fishing is permitted, as well as waterfowl hunting in
season; however, access for these activities is by boat only.
Address: Box 1088, Angleton 77516. Phone (409) 849-
7771.
Buffalo Lake: Comprising 7,664 acres in Randall
County in the Panhandle, this refuge once was a major wa-
terfowl refuge in the Central Flyway. Because of changes
in rainfall patterns and a decline of undergound water sup-
plies, Buffalo Lake is now dry. The old dam is currently un-
der reconstruction to provide flood protection for
downstream communities. A moist soil management unit,
ponds and farmlands now provide habitat for waterfowl, and
semi-arid grasslands and savannahs provide habitat for nu-
merous neo-tropical and resident birds, reptiles, and deer
and other mammals. Activities available to the public in-
clude picnicking, sightseeing, birding, photography, hiking
and camping. Entrance fee. Pheasant hunting allowed by
special permit. Address: Box 179, Umbarger 79091. Phone
(806) 499-3382.
Hagerman: Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge lies on
the Big Mineral arm of Texoma Lake in Grayson County.
The 11,320 acres provide a feeding and resting place for mi-
grating waterfowl. The refuge includes 3,000 acres of
marsh and water and 8,000 acres of farmland, grassland
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Kingston, Mike. Texas Almanac, 1994-1995, book, 1993; Dallas, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth162513/m1/621/: accessed April 26, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.