Texas State Travel Guide: 1988 Page: 172
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primary importance, followed hy heef cattle and Angora goats. Legends of
lost silver mine still circulate in area. Picnic facilities in attractive, tree-shaded
city park on San Saba River in midtown; public golf course adjacent to pre-
sidio ruins just west of town: camping and fishing in county park on F.M.
2292 Str half- rile west of town.
Country Store-Locally prodUced handicrafts, arts and foods in this q inl1
"Ind interesting establishment. Open daily 8 a.m. - 530 p.m.: U.S. 83 n1 1
N LniSt.
Menard County Museum-Local history exhibits and frontier artita
hOused in small, vintage railroad depot. Open Mon. - Wed. 9 a.m. -
at 'S. 8 1'S. 190 (100 Frisco Ave . Admission.
Ruins of Real Presidio de San Saba-Spanish fort established I
A protect Mission Santa Cruz de San Saba. Mission experienced increasig ih
ntty from Indians, and presidio commander urged missionaries to ab andn
their effort. They refused, and on Mar. 16, 1758, a strong force Of Coinun le
and other Indians overran the mission, killed many occupants and burmu
the huildings. Only a few escaped. Small relief force of soldiers from this pre
sidio were so fiercely attacked, they were unahle to prevent mission destruc-
tion. In following years Indian depredations became so severe that supply
cOiilumns and other activities outside the presidio came to virtual standstill.
Presidio was abandoned in 1769. Ruins maintained as county park 2 miles
west off Texas 29.MERIDIAN
Pop. 1,436Alt. 791
Map L-17
General-Established on the Fourth of July,
1854, as seat of newly created Bosque
County; named for its location on 1 00th
meridian. A small log-cabin courthouse was
first structure erected in town. Today a retail
center for agricultural activities. Popular state park is nearhv (see helOw),
Bed and breakfast accommodations offered in historic buildings.
Lake-Whitney. See LAKES listing.
Meridian State Park-Scenic 503 acres on Bee Creek in Bosque \alley,
with 70-acre like. Facilities include camping and trailer sites, screened shel-
ters, group camp ,ind opportunities for fishing, swimming, boating and hik-
ing. Tawakoni Indians lived in the area until the mid-1800s. Four miles
southwest of Meridian via Texas 22, Park Road 7. Admission.MERTZON
Pop. 730Alt. 2,184
Map N-11
General-Established 1910 as stop on
Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railroad;
named for a director of the line. Seat of
Irion County, a rolling to hilly area devoted
primarily to ranching. County is one of
Texas' leading sheep producing areas.Meridian State Park
N,,
44
'' tT
AC
~4.7 .
Ruins of Real Presidio de San Saba, Spanish fort
established in 1751; in county park near Menard
Irion County Museum-Local history exhibits. Open Mon.. Wed.. Fri, 10
am. - 2 pim. Tucs. & Thurs. I - 5:30 p.m. Hours may vary: call 915/835-2704
for inki nation. I Ilk. \ of courthouse.
Sherwood Courthouse-One of best examples of early Texas courthouses
still stands in Sherwood, a mile north and a mile east of Mertzon. Community
was seat of Irion County from 1889 until 1936. The courthouse now belongs
to SherWOOd C mmunity Association.
MESQUITE-See DALLAS/FORT WORTH METROPLEX CITIES SECTION,
Page 41.MEXIA
Pop. 7,161Alt. 534
Map M-19
General-Established 1871, named for
Mexican General Jose Antonio Mexia whose
family donated townsite. The general first
served under Santa Anna, but later joined an
uprising against the Mexican dictator. Therebellion failed, and the city's namesake died before a firing squad.
Natural gas discovered nearby in 1912: oil gusher hNew in nine years
later. Resulting hoom brought rowdy period marked by violence and martial
law. As in most cases, the hoom faded quickly, and Mexia today is a small.
quiet City de\noted to modern agriculture, oil and gas production.
Confederate Reunion Grounds State Park-Site of reunions of
Confederate States of America veterans from 1889 till 1946. Historic features
include 1872 Heritage House, the 1893 dance pavilion, Mordecai Yell's two-
story log cahm, and a CSA cannon. Scenik nature trails with foothridges,
fishing in Navasota River, picnicking. Open daylight hours. Six mi. south on
Texas !i, 3 11i \ est on F.M. 2705 ( not shovn Onl most maps).
Fort Parker State Park-1,485 acres of wooded and open park land offer
nature il heaut. vari ed recreational opportunities. On Navasota River and 750-
acre Lake Springfield. Camping, fishing, swimming, nature study. Nearhy is
restored Old Fort Parker (see helow). State Park is 5 miles southwest on
Texas 14, Park Road 28 Admission.
Lake-MNlexia. Sec LAKE listing
Old Fort Parker State Historic Site-Estahlished 1834 by Silas and James
Parker and other members of the family of Elder John Parker. The private
fort was to protect a settlement of eight or nine families. However, in 1836 a
mass attack hy several hundred Comanches overran fort, killing five of
Parker family and carrying into captivity five persons including Cynthia Ann
Parker. then 9 ears old She grew up. married a Comanche chief and lived
with the Indians until captured with her two-year-old daughter. Prairie
Flower, 24 years later in 1860. She was mother of the last great Comanche
chief, Quanah Parker. Cynthia Ann never became reconciled to her forced
return to the life of her w hite kinsmen and tried several times to escape.
I nhappy and virtual prisoners. both she and her daughter died ahout four
ears after they were separated from the wild. free life of the Comanche.
Restored in 1936 and again in 1967 old fort has pioneer memorabilia,
uthentic log hlockhouses and stockade. Open daylight hours: closed Mon. &
Lies. Eight miles southwest on Texas 14, Park Road 35. Admission.172
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Texas. Department of Transportation. Texas State Travel Guide: 1988, book, 1988; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1203617/m1/174/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.