county of the Republic of Texas, June 12, 1837. 101 S. First St. 936/544-9520 or 936/544-5507.
LAKE—Houston County Lake—This impound ment on Little Elkhart Creek offers boating, fishing, picnicking and camping. About seven miles northwest of Crockett via F.M. 229. 877/544-8466.
MISSION TEJAS STATE PARK—See GRAPELAND.
MONROE-CROOK HOUSE—This elegant Greek Revival house was built in 1854 by Armistead Thomson Monroe, a local merchant and great-nephew of President James Monroe. The house reflected the style of homes in Virginia. Admission charge. 707 E. Houston Ave. 936/544-2359.
DAINGERFIELD POP. 2,629
ALT. 402 MAP J-22
DAINGERFIELD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 102 Coffey St. 903/645-2646.
www.daingerfieldtx.net.
This town is the seat of Morris County—one of the smallest in Texas.
DAINGERFIELD STATE PARK—Stay in recently renovated cabins or camp beneath towering loblolly pines and dense oaks that edge the 80-acre lake. Paddleboat rentals and picnicking are offered. Admission charge. Two miles east of Daingerfield on Texas 49. 903/645-2921.
www.tpwd.
state.tx.us/state-parks/daingerfield.
LAKE—Lake O’ the Pines, see JEFFERSON.
GILMER POP. 5,057
ALT. 415 MAP J-21
GILMER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 106 Buffalo St. 903/843-2413.
www.gilmerareachamber.com.
The city was founded in 1848 and became a trade center for the farmer-settlers. More than 50 historical markers are found in the city and the county. Markers on the court- house lawn tell about the Cherokee Trace. The downtown square features brick-paved streets. Gilmer is part of the Texas Forest Trail Region (
http://texasforesttrail.com). The East Texas Yamboree in October pays homage to
the sweet potato and is one of the oldest annual festivals in Texas.
HISTORIC UPSHUR MUSEUM—Housed in the 1925 Gilmer Post Office, exhibits include Caddo artifacts, for- estry, a model drilling rig, and the Yamboree. 119 Simpson St. 903/843-5483.
www.historicupshurmuseum.com.
LAKES—Lake Gilmer—Lake activities include fishing, skiing, riding personal watercrafts and duck hunting. 903/797-3034.
lakeglmr@etex.net. Ellison Creek Reservoir (Lone Star Lake)—This lake
offers picnicking, swimming, boat ramp and fishing pier. Eight miles south of Daingerfield via U.S. 259 at Lone Star. 903/656-2311. Lake Gladewater, see GLADEWATER. Lake O’ the Pines, see JEFFERSON.
SCENIC DRIVE—Take Texas 155 north, six miles to Barn- well Mountain roadside park and overlook. Most roads in the area offer a mix of pine and hardwood forests, along with pastures, rich fall color and spring wildflowers.
UPSHUR COUNTY LIBRARY—Includes a genealogy department and War of the Rebellion materials for Civil War research. 702 W. Tyler St. 903/843-5001.
GLADEWATER POP. 6,602
ALT. 333 MAP K-21
GLADEWATER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 215 N. Main. 903/845-5501.
www.gladewaterchamber.org.
Settlers from an earlier community called St. Clair moved a few miles east to the railroad. In 1931, oil was discovered, and the population boomed. (One of Texaco’s first derricks
174
and pumping units is preserved in the 100 block of W. Commerce along with a historical marker.) The “Antique Capital of East Texas” boasts several antique shops. Events include the East Texas Gusher Days in April, the
Gladewater Round Up in June, and the Gladewater Arts and Crafts Festival each September.
THE GLADEWATER MUSEUM—Housed in a 1930s-era art deco-style building, the museum depicts the city’s rich and colorful heritage. 116 W. Pacific St. 903/845-7608.
www.gladewatermuseum.org.
GLADEWATER SATURDAY NIGHT OPRY—Enjoy a country/western music and comedy show. A Gospel Jubilee show takes place once a month on Friday night. Admission charge. 108 E. Commerce St. 903/845-3600.
www.thegladewateropry.com.
HELEN LEE ESTATE DAFFODIL GARDENS—The spec- tacular display of blooms draws visitors in early spring. 21600 C.R. 3103. 903/845-5780.
www.daffodilgarden.com.
LAKE—Lake Gladewater—This is an impoundment on Glade Creek. A park near the spillway offers a boat ramp, picnicking, swimming and fishing. Off F.M. 2685 north of U.S. 80 in Gladewater. 903/845-5041.
GRAPELAND POP. 1,502
ALT. 360
GRAPELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:
www.grapelandchamber.net.
Originally called Grapevine because of the wild grapes in the area, Grapeland became the town’s official name in 1873 when an application was made for a post office. Several parks provide recreation activities, including
fishing, swimming and picnicking. Salmon Lake Park has RV hookups, along with cabin and pavilion rentals. 936/687-2594.
www.salmonlakepark.com. During World War II, peanuts were the primary agricul-
tural product—later replaced by watermelons. Peanuts are still celebrated in October with the annual Peanut Festival. Other events include a Gospel Festival, Bluegrass Festival and Christmas Festival.
CADDO MOUNDS STATE HISTORIC SITE—See ALTO.
DAVY CROCKETT NATIONAL FOREST—See NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS. LAKE—Houston County Lake, see CROCKETT.
MISSION TEJAS STATE PARK—This park commemorates the first Spanish mission in East Texas. Spanning 659 acres, it also features Neches River uplands for campers, anglers, picnickers and hikers. El Camino Real Historic Trail traverses the park. Admission charge. Off Texas 21; 12 miles west of Alto; 21 miles northeast of Crockett. 936/687-2394.
www.tpwd.state.tx.us/state-parks/mission-tejas.
HEMPHILL POP. 1,240
ALT. 257 MAP M-23
SABINE COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: 1555 Worth St. 409/787-2732.
www.sabinecountytexas.com.
Founded in a vast timber area, Hemphill is a gateway to the immense Toledo Bend Reservoir. A gallows, more than 80 years old, is still in place in the four-cell county jail. The Great East Texas Outdoor Fest in March focuses
on the scenic beauty and recreation offered in the area. Other events include the Milam Settlers Day in November, Gaines-Oliphint Pioneer Trade Day in April and The Lions Club Christmas Parade and Lighting of the Courthouse Square in December.
LAKES—Lake Sam Rayburn, see JASPER. Toledo Bend Reservoir, see CENTER.
PATRICIA HUFFMAN SMITH NASA MUSEUM “REMEMBERING COLUMBIA”—The story of space explo- ration, from the first mission of the Space Shuttle Columbia
MAP M-21
STS-107 to its last, is highlighted. An area is dedicated to each crewmember who died and two other people who died during the recovery efforts. 375 Sabine St., Unit B. 409/787-4827.
www.nasacolumbiamuseum.com.
SABINE NATIONAL FOREST—See NATIONAL PARKS AND FORESTS. Hemphill is at the western boundary of the forest.
SCENIC DRIVES—Stands of Virginia shortleaf pine are seen south of Hemphill at the community of Yellow Pine via Texas 87, also on F.M. 2343 (not shown on most maps). One of the finest stands of longleaf pine is at the scenic roadside park on Texas 184 about five miles west.
HENDERSON POP. 14,179
ALT. 505 MAP L-22
CITY OF HENDERSON DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM: 1005 Highway 64 W. 866/650-5529.
www.visit
hendersontx.com.
Designated as the Rusk County seat in 1843, the city grew rapidly, but an 1860 fire destroyed most of the commercial buildings. This Main Street City has walking tours of down- town, which is a National Register Historic District. Events include the Wildflower Driving Trails April-May and the Heritage Syrup Festival in November.
DEPOT MUSEUM AND CHILDREN’S DISCOVERY CENTER—The museum is in the waiting room and office of the restored Missouri Pacific Railroad depot. The ware- house is a hands-on learning center. See the 1908 “Arnold Outhouse,” doctor’s office, dogtrot cabin, oil derrick, cot- ton gin, print shop and syrup mill. Admission charge. 514 N. High St. 903/657-4303.
www.depotmuseum.com.
DURANGO’S CANYON—The amphitheater is in a natural crater that is 60 feet deep and 300 yards in diameter. Legend has it that the crater was once a Caddo gathering place. 1039 F.M. 1798 West. 903/898-2772. www.durangos
canyon.com.
EAST TEXAS DISCOVERY WELL—Columbus M. “Dad” Joiner believed there was oil in Rusk County. With inferior equipment, he made two unsuccessful attempts. In Janu- ary 1930, he started a third well. On Oct. 3, 1930, the Daisy Bradford No. 3 blew in, beginning the East Texas Oil Boom. A pink granite marker shows the site. About a mile north of Pioneer Park on C.R. 4136. 866/650-5529 x224. Pioneer Park, with derrick-covered picnic pavilions, is about six miles west of Henderson on Texas 64 at C.R. 4148.
GASTON MUSEUM—This museum focuses on life in an East Texas oil field and includes an oil field “tent house,” a 1930s Dixie Service Station and a 1940s roadside cafe on the museum grounds. 6558 Texas 64 West in Joinerville. 903/847-2205.
www.gastonmuseum.org.
HARMONY HILL GHOST TOWN—The town was an important trade center known as Nip and Tuck in 1850. Bypassed by railroads, the town declined, and a 1906 storm destroyed many buildings. Only the cemetery remains. Eigh- teen miles northeast on Texas 43. 866/650-5529 x224.
LAKES—Murvaul Lake—This lake offers fishing, boating Green Acres of Plants
JORDAN’S PLANT Farm near Henderson is a tourist stop/garden center. The farm has more than 500,000 square feet of growing space, a garden center, and a gift shop fashioned after an old-timey hotel—complete with a lobby, saloon, barbershop and general store.
www.jordans
plantfarm.com
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