Dinosaur Valley State Park, Glen Rose Texas
Located just northwest of Glen Rose, Dinosaur Valley State Park is a 1500-acre scenic park. Although the key attraction at this park is the dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River, there are many other ways to enjoy a day here. Other activities include camping, hiking, mountain biking, horse-back riding, river swimming and fishing.
This park lies within the Cross Timbers region of the state, and the grasslands and woodlands make for a refreshing outdoors experience. A new effort seems to be under way to develop this aspect of the park; recent trail development and signage emphasize this aspect of the park. The wildflowers in Spring, and the native grasses in Fall are very attractive here.
This park is very popular. Based on attendance, one of the top state parks in Texas. Dinosaur Valley State Park seems to attract many families with children. This park contains some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. The dinosaur tracks in the river bed, the educational displays, and the two model dinosaurs from the 1964 New York World’s Fair combined are bound to be way more interesting than a bunch of pictures in a 4th grade science book.
The dinosaur tracks are in the river bed, and hard to locate when the river is up. Just as a backup plan, you can see a track at the Somervell County Museum in Glen Rose Texas.
Where
1629 Park Road 59
Glen Rose, Texas 76043
Just west of Glen Rose off Highway 67, watch for the signs for Park Road 59 and FM 205.
Posted in: Park, Texas, Vignette.
Tagged: Dinosaur Valley State Park · Glen Rose Texas
Barnard's Mill, Glen Rose Texas
History
Early Texas gristmill, constructed in 1860 by Charles Barnard, a block off the historic town square. The first permanent structure in this area, the original mill was a three story building constructed of stone and built like a fort to withstand Indian attacks. For years, town social events were held on the third floor. A cotton gin annex was added in 1895. In the 1940’s a one-story hospital wing was built and a second story added to the existing cotton gin annex.
Today
Today, the three story mill building and cotton gin annex are open for tours. The hospital wing added in the 1940’s today houses the Barnard’s Mill Art Museum.
The museum has a few interesting pieces of art on display; among them bronze and oil paintings by Robert Summers. The work of Morris Henry Hobbs and Amy Jackson are also well represented. The old mill is now open for touring. Not much remains of the milling equipment, dam, or millrace but the buildings and grounds are interesting.
The Barnard’s Mill complex is worth a look.
Where
307 SW Barnard Street
Glen Rose, TX 76043
Within walking distance from the courthouse and town square. They now have a web site.
http://www.barnardsmill.com/
Posted in: Architecture, Texas, Vignette.
Tagged: Barnard's Mill · Glen Rose Texas
Glen Rose Texas 20th-Century Ruins
Glen Rose Texas has a long history dating back to the 1870′s. After a prosperous beginning, the community went through tough financial times during much of the 20th Century. In 1902 a tornado damaged the Somervell County Courthouse and part of the town square. It took many years before that damage was completely repaired and the courthouse was finally restored.
That changed in the 1980′s when the Comanche Nuclear Power Plant was constructed. The plant brought much needed commerce and tax revenues. Since then, a building boom and tourism have helped the community grow.
As a result of the recent prosperity, there’s very little apparent decay to be found in Glen Rose. The old abandoned station pictured above is located on County Road 312. My guess is it was originally a country store and filling station.
Until a few years ago, there was an old iron bridge down the road. This bridge was one of the kit bridges counties bought in the early 20th century because they were cheap and they could construct them themselves. It’s just a guess, but I think this may have been a often-used road before Highway 67 was built.
The old building in the picture is constructed of cement, bricks and petrified wood. This unusual stone, a form of fossilized wood, is used in older buildings throughout the Glen Rose area. The gazebo and star fountain on the town square incorporate this stone. A little further up Barnard street, just maybe a block or so from the courthouse, heading back towards Highway 67, there’s an old building built from petrified wood that today houses an art gallery. The old high school building is another example of a large building constructed using this type of stone.
Where
On County Road 312. From the Sonic (restaurant) go out the back entrance turning left onto CR 312. It’s just a few hundred feet down the road.
Posted in: Architecture, Decay, Texas.
Tagged: Glen Rose Texas
