Texas Almanac, 1992-1993 Page: 126

                                
126                                        TEXAS ALMANAC        1992-1993

Lake Corpus Christi State Park, a 288 land-acre park
located in San Patricio, Jim Wells and Live Oak coun-
ties, was leased from city of Corpus Christi in 1934. Lake
noted for big blue, channel and yellow catfish. Sunfish,
bass and crappie also taken. City of Corpus Christi and
Padre Island National Seashore are nearby.
Lake Lewisville State Park is a 721-acre park located
on the reservoir's east central shore and was developed
as the result of a 50-year lease agreement with the Corps
of Engineers. Located north of Dallas in Denton County,
the park has campsites, screened shelters, boat ramps,
park store and swimming. Geology of Lake Lewisville
directly affects the soils, thus the vegetation. Underlying
the east side of the lake is the Eagle Ford Formation, a
dark gray to tan shale with marine fossils deposited
about 100 million years ago. Lake Lewisville State Park
is located on what is called an upland terrace, where silts
were deposited on top of shale by the ancient Trinity
River.
Lake Livingston State Park, in Polk County, six miles
southwest of Livingston on FM 3126, contains 635.5 acres
along Lake Livingston. Acquired by deed from private
landowners in 1971. Near ghost town of Swartwout,
steamboat landing on Trinity River in 1830s and 1840s.
Polk County's first commissioners court met there be-
fore voters selected Livingston as county seat.
Lake Mineral Wells State Park, located four miles
east of the city of Mineral Wells on Highway 180 in Par-
ker County, consists of 2,905 acres encompassing Lake
Mineral Wells. The city of Mineral Wells donated 1,095
land acres and the 646-acre lake to Texas Parks and
Wildlife Department in 1976. Some of the remaining
acreage was transferred from Fort Wolters Army Post by
the U.S. Government to the State of Texas for use as
park land.
Lake Somerville State Park, in Lee and Burleson
counties, was leased from the federal government in
1969. The 5,520-acre park includes many recreational fa-
cilities. Many species of wild game observed at park;
white-tailed deer, fox, coyote, raccoon, rabbit and quail
abundant. Various park areas feature sandy or grassy
shallow shorelines ideal for wading or swimming.
Lake Texana State Park is 575 acres, seven miles east
of Edna on State Highway 111, with camping, boating,
fishing, picnicking facilities. It was acquired by a 50-year
lease agreement with the Bureau of Reclamation in 1977.
Lake Whitney State Park is 955 acres along the east
shore of Lake Whitney in Hill County. Acquired in 1954 by
a Department of the Army lease, the state has control
until 2003. Located on Lake Whitney near ruins of To-
wash, early Texas settlement inundated  by Lake
Whitney. Towash Village named for chief of Hainai Indi-
ans that moved into area in 1835. Park noted for
bluebonnets in spring.
Landmark Inn State Historical Park 4.7 acres in Cas-
troville acquired through donation by Miss Ruth Lawler
in 1974. Castroville, known as Little Alsace of Texas, head-
quarters for group of Alsatian farmers settled there in
1840s. Landmark Inn built about 1844 as residence and
store for Caesar Monad, mayor of Castroville 1851-1864.
Lipantitlan State Historical Park is five acres east of
Orange Grove in Nueces County. The property was
deeded by private owners in 1937. Fort constructed here
in 1833 by Mexican government; fort fell to Texas forces
in 1835. Lake Corpus Christi State Recreation Area is
nearby.
Lockhart State Park is 263.7 acres near Lockhart in
Caldwell County. The land was deeded by private owners
between 1934 and 1937. Emanuel Episcopal Church in
Lockhart is one of oldest Protestant churches in contin-
uous use in Texas. After Comanche raid at Linnville, Bat-
tle of Plum Creek (1840) was fought in area.
Longhorn Cavern State Park in Burnet County is 639
acres classified as a scenic park. It was acquired in 1932-
1937 from private owners. The cave has been used as a
shelter since prehistoric times. Among legends about the
cave is one that the outlaw Sam Bass hid a $2 million
cache of stolen money. Another legend is that the de-
fenders of the Confederacy made gunpowder in the cave
during the Civil War, and another story states Gen. Rob-
ert E. Lee, while stationed in Texas before the Civil War,
chased some Indians into the cave but lost their trail.
Inks Lake State Park and federal fish hatchery located
nearby. Park operated by concession agreement.
Lost Maples State Natural Area consists of 2,174.2 sce-
nic acres in Bandera County, four miles north of Vander-
pool on Ranch Road 187. Acquired by purchase from

private owners in 1973. Outstanding example of Edwards
Plateau flora and fauna, features isolated stand of
uncommon Uvalde bigtooth maple. Golden-cheeked war-
bler and black-capped vireo have been sighted in park.
Lubbock Lake Landmark State Historical Park is a
308.6-acre archaeological site on the northwest edge of
the city of Lubbock near intersection of Loop 239 and
Clovis Road (U.S. 84). The site was leased from the city
of Lubbock for 50 years in 1986. Evidence of human habi-
tation from 12,000 years ago to the recent past has been
uncovered. Only known site in North America con-
taining deposits related to all cultures known to have
existed on the Southern Plains. Interpretive center,
three interpretive trails, three rest areas. Ongong exca-
vation can be viewed.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Historical Park, in Gillespie
County near Stonewall, contains 732.75 acres. Acquired
in 1967 with private donations. Statue of Johnson
unveiled in 1974 ceremonies. Home of Lyndon B. Johnson
located north bank of Pedernales River across Ranch
Road 1 from park; portion of official Texas longhorn herd
maintained at park. Wildlife exhibit includes turkey,
deer and buffalo. Living history demonstrations in
progress at restored Sauer-Beckmann house. Recons-
truction of Johnson birthplace, located east of ranch
house at end of Park Road 49, open to public. Nearby is
family cemetery where former president and relatives
are buried. In Johnson City is boyhood home of Presi-
dent Johnson. Near outskirts of Johnson City is cluster of
stone barns and buildings constructed by his grandfa-
ther, Sam Ealy Johnson Sr., and his brother Tom. (See
also National Parks.)
McKinney Falls State Park in Travis County east of
Interstate 35 and near Bergstrom AFB is a 640.6-acre
park acquired in 1970 from private donation. The head-
quarters of the Parks and Wildlife Department are at this
location.
Mackenzie State Park in Lubbock County is a 542.2-
acre park acquired in 1935 from the city of Lubbock,
then leased to that city until 2037. The park was named
for Gen. Ranald S. Mackenzie, famous for his campaigns
against Indians in West Texas. One of the main features
is a colony of native Texas prairie dogs; a section is
called "Prairie Dog Town." (Not operated by parks de-
partment.)
Magoffin Home State Historical Park, in El Paso
County in the city of El Paso; total acreage, 1.5. Pur-
chased jointly by the state of Texas and the city of El
Paso in 1976, it is operated by the Texas Parks and Wild-
life Department. The Magoffin Home was built in 1875 by
pioneer El Pasoan Joseph Magoffin and displays a re-
gional architectural style developed in the Southwest be-
tween 1865 and 1880.
Martin Creek Lake State Park is located 4 miles
south of Tatum off State Highway 43 in Rusk County. To-
tal acreage 286.9 acres, deeded to the Parks and Wildlife
Department by the Texas Utilities Generating Company
in 1976. The area provides 20 primitive campsites, 60
campsites with water and electricity, 21 screened shel-
ters, 48 picnic sites, a pavillion and a boat ramp.
Martin Dies Jr. State Park, until 1965 the Dam B State
Park, is 705-acre recreational area in Jasper and Tyler
counties. The land was acquired from the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers by lease in 1964. Park located at edge
of Big Thicket. In spring, Dogwood Festival is held at
Woodville. Park approximately 30 miles from Alabama-
Coushatta Indian Reservation.
Matagorda Island State Park and Wildlife Manage-
ment Area: Separated from the mainland by San Antonio
and Espiritu Santo bays, Matagorda Island is one of the
barrier islands that border the Gulf and protect the
mainland from the great tides and strong wave action of
the open ocean. The southwestern tip of the island, con-
sisting of 11,500 acres, is privately owned, and the re-
mainder, which extends approximately 24 miles to the
northeast, consists of 24,893 acres of state land and 19,000
acres of federal land. Under a cooperative agreement
between the U.S. Department of the Interior and the
State of Texas approved in 1983, the entire area of public
lands is managed by the Texas Parks and Wildlife De-
partment. The park occupies abut 7,325 acres of the to-
tal.
Matagorda Peninsula State Park, 6,255.2 acres of un-
developed Gulf Beach, is located south of the town of
Matagorda on FM 2031. Day use only; access only by
four-wheel-drive vehicles. Fishing, swimming and pic-
nicking are allowed, but no facilities of any kind are pro-
vided.

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TEXAS ALMANAC 1992-1993