on the north side. The park includes fishing, swimming, and a 10-mile equestrian and hiking trail that leads to a primitive camp area. Admission charge. Three miles east on U.S. 180. 940/328-1171.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state- parks/lake-mineral-wells. Lake Mineral Wells Trailway—A 20-mile trailway runs
through Lake Mineral Wells State Park and links Mineral Wells and Weatherford. Access the trail in Mineral Wells or several locations along the way.
LAKES—Lake Mineral Wells—This lake is located within Lake Mineral Wells State Park. It offers fishing, boating, swimming, picnicking, hiking and camping. About three miles east of Mineral Wells via U.S. 180. 940/328-1171. Lake Palo Pinto—This lake on Palo Pinto Creek offers
boat ramps and fishing. About 25 miles southwest of Mineral Wells via U.S. 180 and F.M. 4. 940/328-7712 Possum Kingdom Lake, see BRECKENRIDGE.
MINERAL WELLS FOSSIL PARK—This park is open for fossil collecting. Typical finds here are crinoids, trilobites and brachiopods of the Pennsylvanian Age. The park is in a primitive state, and precautions should be taken. 2375 Indian Creek Road. Just northwest of Mineral Wells. 940/325-2557.
www.mineralwellsfossilpark.com.
NATIONAL VIETNAM WAR MUSEUM—This site reflects on the Vietnam War (many of that war’s helicopter pilots trained at nearby Fort Wolters). It includes a meditation garden, a Huey helicopter and a more than half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Donations accepted.
www.nationalvnwarmuseum.org.
OLD JAIL MUSEUM—This museum complex includes four cabins, the Old Jail and Fort Black Springs along with arti- facts from the 1800s. U.S. 180 at Fifth and Elm streets. One block south of the courthouse in Palo Pinto, 12 miles west.
www.palopintohistory.com/old jail
complex.htm.
SCENIC DRIVES—There are many scenic drives in the area that offer winding roads and views including F.M. 4 from Palo Pinto south to I-20, Texas 16 from U.S. 180 to Possum Kingdom Lake, and U.S. 281 south to I-20.
MORAN POP. 280
ALT. 1,350 MAP K-14 LAKE—Hubbard Creek Reservoir, see BRECKENRIDGE.
MORAN HISTORICAL MUSEUM—Exhibits include items from early households and stores in the city. It also includes the genealogy of a ranching and oil boomtown. On Waters Street, two block south of the post office. 915/945-2942.
MULESHOE POP. 5,297
ALT. 3,889 MAP F-8
MULESHOE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND AGRICULTURE: 115 E. American Blvd. 806/272-4248.
Muleshoe was founded in a sparsely settled area of huge cattle ranches. Early in the 20th century the immense ranches began to break up, and farming was introduced to this area of the High Plains. The town was named for the muleshoe brand of a famous early ranch.
MULESHOE HERITAGE CENTER—The restored Santa Fe Depot offers a heritage museum and meeting place. The “World’s Largest Muleshoe”—22 feet high and 17 feet wide at its widest point—offers a good photo opportunity. 2000 Ash Ave. 806/272-5873.
MULESHOE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE—Founded in 1935, it is the oldest national wildlife refuge in Texas. Three small rainwater lakes—unusual features on the plains—attract birds. Includes the nation’s largest concen- tration of wintering sandhill cranes. Greatest numbers of waterfowl may usually be seen late August to March. A colony of prairie dogs is along the entrance road. About 20 miles south on Texas 214. 806/946-3341.
www.fws.gov/refuges.
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NATIONAL MULE MEMORIAL—With the disappearance of mules from the American scene in recent decades, a group of Texas citizens decided to erect a memorial to these unsung beasts. The memorial is known as “Ole Pete.” Located near the Muleshoe Chamber of Commerce office.
OLTON POP. 2,229
ALT. 3,580 MAP F-9
OLTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 518 8th St. 806/285-2292.
www.oltonchamber.org.
Bed-and-breakfast facilities are available in a historic building downtown.
SAND CRAWL MUSEUM—Named for the Sand Crawl for- mation south of town, the museum features representa- tions of the area from Pleistocene riverbed to settlement. An outdoor exhibit features farm equipment, a half-dug- out house, along with replicas of the Sand Hills. 701 Main St. In the Olton Library. 806/285-7772.
SAND HILLS—A chain of sand dunes that extend 130 miles, three to five miles wide. Archaeological findings show that the area was inhabited 6,000 years ago. Comanches camped in the area, and Spanish explorers and later Anglo- Americans used the old trails. On F.M. 168 south of town.
PADUCAH POP. 1,204
ALT. 1,886 MAP F-12
PADUCAH CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 806/492-2044.
www.paducahtx.com.
The town was named for the Paducah, Ky., hometown of the county surveyor and attorney.
HERITAGE MUSEUM—Housed in a restored railroad depot, the museum features farming and ranching artifacts, plus historic photographs. 122 Ninth St. 806/492-2143.
MATADOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA—A 28,000- acre area on the Middle Pease and South Pease rivers. Hunting (by permit only) includes an archery season. Northwest of city on F.M. 3256 off U.S. 83.
www.tpwd.
state.tx.us/huntwild/hunt/wma.
PAMPA POP. 18,374
ALT. 3,234 MAP C-11
PAMPA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 200 N. Ballard. 806/669-3241.
www.pampachamber.com.
The town takes its name from the Spanish word pampas, meaning plains. Today, it is a city of beautiful churches, large parks and fine homes. Thirty-two municipal parks on tree-shaded draws give a spacious air to the plains city.
THE CROSS OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST —Standing tall above the prairie is a 190-foot-tall cross that can be seen for almost 20 miles. The cross is 110 feet across. At the intersection of I-40 and F.M. 295, just west of Groom.
FREEDOM MUSEUM USA—This museum highlights all military branches from the Revolutionary War to present. Exhibits include guns, swords, and other military memora- bilia. Donations accepted. 600 N. Hobart St. 806/669-6066.
LAKE—Lake McClellan—A small lake in the McClellan Creek National Grasslands offers picnicking, camping, boat ramps and fishing. Call ahead about water levels. About 28 miles south of Pampa via Texas 70 and F.M. 2477. 806/779-2092.
MOBEETIE JAIL MUSEUM—The restored 1886 native rock jail features a sheriff’s quarters, the restored Old Mobeetie school building and a barbershop. Historical items from Wheeler County are displayed. Facilities include RV hookups and a covered pavilion. Wheeler Avenue in Mobeetie. 31 miles east of Pampa. 806/845-2028.
www.mobeetie.com.
PANHANDLE PLAINS
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