Texas State Parks History and Archeology

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Texas State Parks History and Archeology

We advocate excellence in stewardship of the historic resources within Texas State Parks.
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A New Deal program enacted by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps built over 50 state parks in Texas, and many others in states across the nation. The bridges, cabins, refectories, lookout towers, and other structures were designed to blend with the natural world they beckoned visitors to enjoy. CCC parks are our state parks' legacy, the first state parks system in Texas, built to remain for our future generations to enjoy.

06/20/2026

In 1963, a better funded Texas Parks and Wildlife Deparment was created by combining the Texas State Parks Board and the Texas Game and Fish Commission. In 1967, the legislature, with the urging of Governor John Connolly, approved the first-ever bond issue for parks. $75 million in bonds funded land purchases for nine new parks, seven historic areas, and a scenic area on the coast. The Connolly bonds grew the park system to serve a growing Texas.

Stay tuned to hear more about the new parks purchased using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund! We're growing to better serve Texas.

06/13/2026

On the night of July 11, 1933, the first group of CCC members for Palo Duro Canyon arrived at the Amarillo railroad station.

For the first four months, the men persevered through heavy storms and twisters in their temporary tents, before more permanent housing was acquired. In a 1934 letter from the Panhandle-Plains Historical Society’s archives, Johnnie Carl Siegfried of Company 1824 wrote, “Last Tuesday night another Texas Whiz Bang with a hard down pour came across the Canyon and tore three tents down in our company. Of course I had to be in one of them.” This early experience at Palo Duro likely inspired the name of their camp newspaper: The Windy Rim.

Johnnie Carl Siegfried, Letter to Ruth Bosley, July 22, 1934, PPHS archives.

06/11/2026

We recently received a great donation of a scrapbook that belonged to CCC enrollee Mel Pape. He served with distinction helping to build Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge as a crew chief in the CCC.

After his term in the CCC, he joined the Army Air Corps for WW2, then became the head of the Drama department at the University of Texas, and performed in many theater and film roles (including as The Butler in Caddyshack).

We're glad to have this spectacular scrapbook, as it gives a beautiful candid look at the CCC boys in action. We look forward to sharing more photos from this collection in the future.

06/06/2026

We're sharing a video of Battleship Texas veterans recounting their experiences on D-Day--https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1D7GDV5gQw/. Thanks to the Naval History and Heritage Command for posting this video.
Photograph of crew members at rest on 40 MM gun mount during bombardment of Normandy; loaded landing craft in background heading for beach.

06/04/2026

Texas Parks & Wildlife is hiring an Archeologist to be a part of our team!

This position will be responsible for organizing and maintaining collections and geospatial databases, cataloging artifacts, conducting artifact and data analyses, contributing to the planning and ex*****on of archaeological investigations and field work, and preparing technical reports that meet all applicable federal and state regulatory standards. Other duties will include collaborating with Interpretive Services staff to develop or expand interpretive programs and exhibits, as well as developing and presenting outreach programs. We're seeking a motivated professional who will be an advocate for the history and cultural resources on State Parks properties.

Please see the job posting for more details:
https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00058557&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicago

06/02/2026

The crew of the USS Texas received instructions on how to act in preparation for the Invasion of Normandy. I wasn't expecting #5, but it is solid advice.

05/30/2026

Texas Parks & Wildlife is hiring two Preservation Specialists for our team!

Preservation Specialists review projects affecting structures and sites over 45 years old and coordinate repair projects and trainings, through the professional application of the SOI Standards, the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Antiquities Code of Texas. We're seeking historic preservation professionals who will be advocates for the history and built resources on State Parks properties.

Please see the job posting for more details: https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?job=00058548&tz=GMT-05%3A00&tzname=America%2FChicag

05/28/2026

The CCC created beautifully crafted stone structures throughout Texas during the 1930s. Here's one great example from Blanco State Park, the original "Caretaker's Residence".

Zoom in to take a look at the details. Each stone a different shape, but all fit together by CCC boys overseen by a local stonemason teaching their craft.

Originally the entrance and concession building for the park, the Caretaker's Residence eventually became office space for park staff after the new headquarters building was constructed.

Also note the circa 1942 Texas State Park Board diving woman logo on the side of the vehicles.

05/16/2026

Enjoy spring at the Springs! Balmorhea State Park has the largest spring-fed swimming pool in the world. Between 1935 and 1938, Civilian Conservation Corps Company #1856 developed the park with the San Solomon Springs Pool as the focus.

Limestone walls line the perimeter of the pool, and an eight-foot flagstone walkway surrounds the border. The CCC completed construction of the pool in March 1936, and the park held an opening celebration on June 27, 1936, with a barbecue, baseball game, swimming races, and dance.

05/14/2026

In November of 1934, an artist named Max Bachofen was sent to Davis Mountains by the Treasury Department's Public Works of Art Project to paint the newly built Civilian Conservation Corps camp that had recently begun work on Davis Mountains State Park and Indian Lodge.

In his assignment, he was told "In Choosing your subject I wish you would stress the life and activities of the camp proper, or any buildings or construction programs which may be in progress".

Bachofen set up his easel and got to work, completing this painting of the CCC camp, with enrollees in the foreground and possibly one of the earliest images of Skyline Drive in the background.

The original painting now rests in the collections of the Smithsonian Museum of American Art after being transferred there by the National Park Service.

Address

4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX
78744

Telephone

+15123894800

Website

http://texascccparks.org/

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