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Big Spring State Park (Texas)

Big Spring State Park is a Texas state park in Big Spring, Howard County, Texas in the United States. It was opened in 1936 after the 381.99 acres (154.59 ha) upon which it is situated was deeded to the state by the city of Big Spring in 1934 and 1935. It is named for the natural spring once located on the site that was later replaced by an artificial one.

Contents

History

The first written record of the spring was made on October 3, 1849, in the journal of Captain R.B. Marcy of the U.S. Cavalry while on his return trip to Fort Smith, Arkansas, from Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Spanish are thought to have visited the area as early as 1768, while Comanches and other Native American groups likely frequented the region much earlier, probably attracted by the permanent water source. Carvings dated circa 1917 indicate that other visitors to the park area included cattle drivers and those travelling to new territories.

Shortly after the state of Texas acquired the land in 1934, the Civilian Conservation Corps began construction on the park. Limestone quarried on-site was used in the building of the headquarters, pavilion, lodging, pump house and restroom. The limestone was also used in the building of retaining walls for a three-mile (5 km) drive that loops around Scenic Mountain. The walls were built using mortarless masonry techniques with large blocks of limestone, some weighing as much as two tons.

Facilities

Facilities at the park include eight developed tent sites with nearby water and two sites with water and electricity on-site. All campsites have on-site parking, a shelter over a picnic table and a grill. Other facilities include a lighted group pavilion, which can accommodate up to 50 people; restrooms with no showers and a Texas State Park store. Native American artifacts and fossils from the area are on display at a seasonal interpretive center, which is also located in the park.

Activities

Some of the recreational opportunities offered on the site include camping, hiking, mountain biking, nature study, jogging and star gazing.

Scenic Drive

Shaded picnic table with a view

View from the summit of Scenic Mountain

See also

External links

This Texas state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v • d •
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Federal
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State Forests E.O. Siecke • I.D. Fairchild • John Henry Kirby • Masterson • W. Goodrich Jones
State Wildlife Trails Great Texas Coastal • Heart of Texas • Panhandle Plains • Prairies and Pineywoods
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Categories: Texas geography stubs | Texas state parks | Howard County, Texas | Protected areas established in 1936 | Civilian Conservation Corps in Texas

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