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Eisenhower State Park
On the Shores ofTexoma
Art cle by Mary-Love 3igony and Photos by Glen Mills
Up where the Red River forms Tex-
as'ragged northern border, two dis-
tinctly different state parks pay trib-
ute to the 34th presider.- of the
United States. Dwight D. Eisenhow-
er, born in Denison on October 14,
1890, left Texas with his family whten
he was only a few months old. But
until1963, Eisenhower was the cny
Texas-born U.S. president, and he
remains one of only two chief exscu-
tives with beginnings in the L*one
Star State.
Eisenhower has not been Forgotten
in this area of North Texas The
two-story frame house in which he
was born has been restored and fur-
nished to reflect its appearance in
the 1890s. And northwest of Deni-
son, a recreatior.al park on :he shores
of sprawling Lake Texoma bears the
former president's name.
Lake Texoma is the focal point of
Eisenhower State Recreat.on Area,
with its steep cliffs, dramatic rocky
bluffs and seemingly endless capacity
to accommodate anglers ard b:>aters.
This huge reservoir, 40 miles lor.g
and covering 95,000 acres, was built
in 1943 by damming the Red River a
few miles north of Denison. The
park was autl".crized by the legisla-
ture in 1947, ar.d the name selected
to honor the renowned World War II
general. By the time land for the
park was acquired in 1954, Eisen-
hower was president of the United
States.
Many of the people who visit
Eisenhower crne to fish, boa: or
water-ski on Lake Texoma. Fishing
can be good all year for black bass,
perch and catfish, and anglers fre-
quently reel ir. white bass and strip-
ers. Four fishing piers, including a
lighted one, are scattered throughout
the park, mak~r g them accessible to
all the campgrou 5is. The fish-clean-
ing shelter equipped with running
water and electricity gets a lot of
use, testifying tc the fishing success
that can be had on Lake Texoma. A
boat-launching ramp is located be-
tween two of the campgrounds in
one o= the lake's rr.any coves.
But you don't have to have a boat
or fishing tackle to enjoy Eisenhower.
Campgrounds are set on rolling hills
covered with woodlands of oak, elm,
ash and other hardwoods. Lake Tex-
oma sparkles through the trees at
many locations throughout the park
as a scenic accessory to camping and
picnicking. Campsites are shady and
secluded thanks to the trees and
other vegetation. Many of the
screened shelters, which will accom-
modate up to eight people, are near
Texoma's steep shoreline and over-
look the lake. In addition to individual
campsites for tents and recreational
vehicles, the Cedar Hollow rally area
has 37 si:es arranged in a group. An
open-air pavilion is adjacent to the
rally area. It is lighted and accessible
to the handicapped and contains pic-
nic tables and two grills.
Eisenhower's large recreation hall
is a popular building and must be
reserved well in advance. But groups
Boaters who take off from Eisenhower
State Park's launching ramp find them-
selves on 95,000-acre Lake Texoma.
Four fishing piers scattered throughout
the park make the lake's bass, perch and
catfish available to all anglers.
TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE
2