Located along Texas State Highway 21 in Houston County, Texas, Mission Tejas State Park is a 660-acre state park that is open year-round. The park was established in 1935 and transferred to Texas Parks and Wildlife in 1957. It is the closest state park to Crockett, Texas, and is ideal for hiking, fishing, and other outdoor activities.
This park has a rich history and is a great place to visit if you are traveling through East Texas. It is the oldest structure in Houston County and contains the replica of the first Spanish mission in Texas. It is also home to a part of El Camino Real de los Tejas, a historic route that traces the beginning of the Mexican and American revolutions. Visitors can enjoy hiking or camping along the park’s roughly 4.5-mile trail system.
The historic Rice Family Log Home is also located in the park. Built by Joseph Redmond Rice, Sr. in 1828, this log home is the oldest wood structure in Houston County. In 1838, the family extended the home and used part of it as an inn. The log home was moved to Mission Tejas State Park in 1974.
The park has a variety of wildlife to see. The park is also home to eight geocaches, which can be found in the park. Visitors can borrow GPS systems from the park’s headquarters. You can read more about geocaching in the park’s blog. It’s a great way to spend a day in the park, and the state park’s staff will help you find the caches.
Visitors can also enjoy the beautiful landscape of Mission Tejas State Park. The park has been around since the 1930s and has grown from a mere 118 acres to a sprawling 660 acres. The park is also home to Mission Espada, which is part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Civilian Conservation Corps to help the country’s people with jobs and job skills. The Corps recruited men aged seventeen to twenty-five and who qualified for public assistance. They received about $30 per month and sent some of their pay home to their families. The Civilian Conservation Corps Company 888 was responsible for building the park, constructing the original park pavilion and building a small dam.
A replica of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas was constructed in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was operated by the Texas Forest Service until 1956. The mission’s log home was built by Joseph Rice Sr. between 1828 and 1838. The mission was also the first Christian church in Texas.
The park offers several campgrounds. The campsites are paved and have amenities such as fire rings, lantern posts, and picnic tables. Many are shaded. A few sites allow water-only camping. The main bathhouse is located near the replica of the Mission. Other amenities include restrooms and showers.
