Area Attractions
Houston County Lake
While visiting Grapeland, make sure you take a drive out to
Houston County Lake, located 8 miles west of town on FM-227. The scenic drive to the
lake is really a special part of your visit. (You might want to bring a camera. You
never know what you'll see!) Famous for it's "Trophy Size Bass", the
115-acre Houston County Lake is the perfect spot to spend the day. Whether you are fishing
by yourself, or spending a day with your family, Houston County Lake is the ideal spot for
some good down home fun. The lake has produced trophy largemouth bass to 15.2 pounds, blue
catfish to 41.5 pounds. Houston County Lake is accessible by many Boat Ramps. The
Houston County Lake Dam, which was built on Little Elkhart Creek, is a popular attraction,
along with the beautiful woodland surrounding. So, while in Grapeland make
sure to visit Houston County Lake, you will surely be glad you did.
Mission Tejas State Park
RR 2, Box 108 - Grapeland TX 75844 - (936) 687-2394
Mission Tejas State Historical Park
is a 363.5-acre park in
Houston County, 22 miles northeast of Crockett. The park was constructed in 1935
and acquired in 1957 by Legislative Act from the Texas Forest Service, at which time it
was open to the public.
The Park's History:
The park was built in 1934 by Co. 888 of Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) as a commemorative representation of Mission San Francisco de los Tejas, the
first Spanish mission in the province of Texas, which was established in 1690. Also in the
park is the restored Rice Family Log Home, built in 1828 and restored in 1974. The home,
which Joseph Redmund Rice, Sr. constructed between 1828 and 1838, is one of the oldest
structures in the area. The home served as a stopover for immigrants, adventurers, and
local residents traveling the Old San Antonio Road across pioneer Texas.
Park Activities:
Activities include camping; picnicking; hiking; and fishing. A
pond located near the picnic area offers an excellent opportunity to explore aquatic life
and fish. Hiking and nature trails provide access to the natural beauty of the east Texas
Piney Woods. The dogwood are beautiful the last week or so of March, usually around the
25th.
Tours:
School tours of the two historic structures can be arranged by
calling the park headquarters in advance.
The Park's Facilities:
Facilities include commemorative representation of Mission San
Francisco de los Tejas; the restored Rice Family Log Home; picnic sites; campsites with
water; campsites with water and electricity; campsites with water, electricity, and sewer;
group picnic areas; a group picnic pavilion; restrooms with and without showers; a group
camping area; an amphitheater; a trailer dump station; 3 1/2 miles of hiking trails; a
playground; and a nature pond (approximately 1 acre in size).
Flora/Fauna:
Situated near the northern end of the Davy Crockett National
Forest, the park offers an atmosphere of rustic beauty and tranquility, among the tall
pine trees. You can fish for perch and bream.
Directions:
The park is located 21 miles northeast of Crockett and 12 miles
west of Alto on State Highway 21. The entrance to the park is in Weches, where Park Road
44 intersects with State Highway 21.
Elevation, Weather, and Schedule Information:
Elevation: Elevation ranges from 167 to 552 feet.
Weather:
Average rainfall 42.2 inches. January average low is 35 degrees. July average high is 95
degrees. Open: 7 days a week year-round.
Office Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., 365
days a year.
Area Attractions:
Nearby attractions include Caddoan Mounds, Jim Hogg, and Texas
State Railroad Historical Parks; Rusk and Palestine State Parks; Ratcliff Lake; Texas
Forestry Museum, in Lufkin; and Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area (a U.S. Forest Service park,
12 miles away, that has a nice swimming beach).
Camping fees vary; entrance fee. For reservations, call
512/389-8900. For more details, call the park or Park Information at 1-800-792-1112.
The Caddoan Indian Mounds
State Park is nearby. The park is the Southwestern most ceremonial center of the
great Indian Mound Builder Culture ca, 1,000 B.C. to 1,500 A.D.
Grapeland is a...
Sportsman's Delight
Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Water Sports - Grapeland is located
between the Neches River to the east and Trinity River to the west. The 115-acre
Houston County Lake, 8 miles west, is noted for its bass fishing. Davy Crockett
National Forest, tennis courts, driving range, and golf nearby.
History Haven
Just minutes away from San Francisco de los Tejas Mission State
Park, Caddoan Indian Mounds, Pilgrim Church and Cemetery; Texas State Railroad and
Grapeland's own Texas Historic Landmark First Christian Church.
Photographer's Paradise
Grapeland provides a picturesque diversity of rural Texas -
farming, ranching, sandyland, deep woods. Appropriate seasons find the area alive
with colors of budding fruit trees, dogwood, redbud, wildflowers, or the beautiful colors
of the leaves as the area begins to settle down for the winter.
Retirement Dream
In town, country, or by the lake - live your golden years in East
Texas paradise. Grapeland Senior Citizen Center offers weekly lunches, monthly jam
sessions, and "42" tournaments, etc.
Family Affair
Raise your child in an unhurried, friendly atmosphere...where you
know your neighbors and the hometown merchants greet you by your first name.
