'Lone Star' Trail
THE JOURNEY OF PRIYA LALLOOBHAI
8 WONDERFUL DAYS IN 8 DIFFERENT TEXAN CITIES = 1 AWESOME ADVENTURE. CANT WAIT TO TRAVEL IN ALL 4 REGIONS! COME ON AND JOURNEY WITH ME!!!!
DAY 1: SAN ANTONIO
TOWER LIFE BUILDING-CULTURAL SITE
Once I reached San Antonio, my eyes lit up. It was so beautiful, the weather there was perfect, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. Known as the 'Alamo City', San Antonio has an average high temperature of 63* F -95 *F. So, today might have been the best day to visit San Antonio. I wanted to start my day off by visiting the 'Tower Life Building', so I made plans to go see that. While I was there, I found out that the 'Tower Life Building' was built in 1929 as the 'Smith Young Tower' and used to be the tallest building in Mississippi. Later on, this building was converted into the 'Emily Morgan Hotel' in 1985. It is now named for it's current owner, the 'Tower Life Insurance Company.' I also found out that this building has 30 floors and is located in Downtown, San Antonio and that this site is important because of how famous it is for it's history. I mostly came here because of how this place made this region unique, this famous architect makes San Antonio unique because of how popular and proud it is for it's city. My favorite part about the 'Tower Life Building' was the decorations and the fancyness, because I had a great time learning about the 'Tower Life Building' and seeing how beautiful it is!
THE ALAMO-HISTORICAL SITE
After I went to the 'Tower Life Building,' I decided to stop by at the Alamo, because I once read a book about the Alamo and ever since then I've always dreamt of going there. Finally, my wish can come true. While I was there, I took some pictures of the Alamo as well as writing down facts about this famous historical building. On February 23, 1836, Santa Anna's army arrived right outside San Antonio. Then, the Texians and Tejanos prepared to defend the Alamo together. The defenders held out for 13 days against Santa Anna's army. William B. Travis, the commander of the Alamo, sent couriers carrying pleas for help to communities in Texas. On the eighth day of the siege, a band of 32 volunteers from Gonzales arrived, bringing the number of defenders to nearly two hundred. Legend holds that with the possibility of additional help fading, Colonel Travis drew a line on the ground and asked any man willing to stay and fight to step over — all except one did. As the defenders saw it, the Alamo was the key to the defense of Texas, and they were ready to give their lives rather than surrender their position to General Santa Anna. Among the Alamo's garrison were Jim Bowie; renowned knife fighter, and David Crockett; famed frontiersman and former congressman from Tennessee. The final assault came on March 6, 1836, as columns of Mexican soldiers headed for the Alamo's walls. Cannons and small arms fired from inside the Alamo beat. The Mexicans scaled the walls and rushed into the compound. Once they were inside, they turned a captured cannon on the Long Barrack, and shot open the barricaded doors. The desperate struggle continued until the defenders were overwhelmed. By sunrise, the battle had ended and Santa Anna entered the Alamo compound to survey the scene of his victory. This battle is obviously important for it's historic victory, and this battlefield makes San Antonio unique, because this place is one of a kind and it represents our bravery which is a really memorable and important event. My favorite part about the Alamo was basically everything, because there is nothing that's not worth remembering.
SAN ANTONIO MISSIONS NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK-NATURAL SITE
Next stop; the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park! I decided to go there, because heard it's a really popular & beautiful park, and I would get to learn a lot about it due to it's famous history. The history of San Antonio began with a simple ceremony when in 1718, Franciscans and Spanish representatives established the first mission. Within 13 years, five missions were located along the San Antonio River. The mission's purpose was to acculturate and Christianize the native population and make them Spanish citizens. Today, visitors can retrace the footsteps of the mission Indians & friars, and, possibly, meet descendants of those first inhabitants. Four Spanish frontier missions are preserved here (Missions: San Jose, San Juan, Espada, and Concepcion). The park, containing many cultural sites and natural areas, was built in 1978. The National Park Foundation encourages and promotes local fundraising support at individual national park sites. Los Compadres is a nonprofit partner of the National Park Service and provides volunteer support and financial aid for preservation, restoration and development projects at the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This park is obviously important for it's history & beauty, and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park makes San Antonio unique because, once again, it's historical beauty for the nation. My favorite part about the park is the beauty and how real & historical it looks.
DAY 2: GALVESTON
ST. MARY CATHEDRAL BASILICA-CULTURAL SITE
The next day, I decided to go to Galveston, because I've never been there and I heard that it's a very convincing & cool-weathered place. I was very tired from yesterday, so I went to a place that wouldn't require a lot of research. I also wanted to learn more about Galveston's region and lifestyle, so I went to the St. Mary Cathedral Basilica church. I'm not christian, but like I said, I wanted to find out more about their religion. St. Mary Cathedral Basilica, also known as St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica, is a Roman Catholic place of worship in Galveston, Texas. It is the mother church of the Catholic Church in Texas, as well as a basilica church. Along with the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Houston, St. Marys' serves more than 1.5 million Catholics living in the region. In 1722, a French Catholic parish was established. The Spaniards conquered the Natchez area in 1779. A Spanish Catholic Church, San Salvador was erected in 1788. In 1793 Natchez became part of the Diocese of Louisiana. Natchez Catholics maintained their own community without a resident priest from 1798–1839. Not long after Bishop John J. Chanche's arrival, he began preparation to build his Cathedral. The cornerstone was laid on February 24, 1842. It was dedicated on December 25, 1843. The church took 40 years to be completed. It was declared on September 19, 1886 and remained the Cathedral of the Diocese until 1977. Twelve of its beautiful stained glass windows were installed between 1884–1893, and four of them were installed in 1961. The other designs were installed between 1903-1991. On September 8, 1998, St Mary was designated as a Minor Basilica and was formally dedicated as a Minor Basilica on September 25, 1999. This church was important for it's history, beauty and it's value. This building is unique because it only opens on a certain day each year, and if I had to call any favorites, it would be the design and the religious meaning.
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM-HISTORICAL SITE
Once I came back from the St. Mary Cathedral Basilica church, I was so elated, I just had to visit another place. So, I went to the Lone Star Flight Museum. When I reached the Lone Star Flight Museum, I loved it so much that I had to remember it. So, I took notes. The Lone Star Flight Museum, located in Galveston, Texas, is an aerospace museum that displays more than 40 historically significant aircraft and many artifacts related to the history of flight. The museum's collection is rare because most of the aircraft are flyable. Located next to the 'Scholes International Airport' at Galveston, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark, and Moody Gardens, the museum is housed on about 100,000 ft of property, including its own airstrip. The 'Lone Star Flight Museum' is in the process of moving to Houston to avoid a repeat of the devastation suffered during 'Hurricane Ike.' This museum began as a private collection of historic aircraft in 1985. By 1990, that collection had grown enough that its owner decided to place them on public display. The 'Lone Star Flight Museum'; a non-profit organization funded entirely through private donations, was formed for that purpose. This museum was the most delightful and historical place I've ever been to. Everywhere I looked, there was an airplane. It was so awesome and very cool. This museum was and still is important for all of the airplanes ever built in mankind, and the only thing that makes this museum very unique is that it is built of airplanes. My favorite part about this museum is that it was an airplane museum.
SEAWALL URBAN PARK-NATURAL SITE
I loved the 'Lone Star Flight Museum' and the 'St. Mary Cathedral Basilica Church' so much, that I had to finish my day off with another wonderful place. So, I went to the 'Seawall Urban Park.' There isn't really a lot of history about this park, except that it's a beach park, but it's worth knowing about. The center of Galveston's beach activity takes place along the island's famous Seawall Boulevard. This urban park stretches more than 10 miles offering plenty of beach as well as the nation's longest continuous sidewalk — great for running, biking or people watching. Beaches along the seawall offer easy access to the island's many beachfront restaurants, resorts and tourist attractions, such as the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park that stands on a pier over the Gulf of Mexico at Seawall and 25th Street. Like I told you there isn't much history about this park, except for it's current history. So, let me finish this off with what I liked about this beach park. This beach is important for it's beauty and history, the unique thing about this park is that it doesn't have a lot of history, and my favorite part about it was the beauty. Today was a live and a little exhausting day, so I couldn't wait for tomorrow!!!
DAY 3: WACO
RICHLAND MALL-CULTURAL SITE
Yesterday was so pleasing and enjoyable, that I couldn't wait for today! So, when I woke up this morning, I was ready to go on a new adventure. By the time I reached Waco, I was sweating, because it was so hot. So, I decided to learn their clothing style as well as get me some shorts, by going to the Richland Mall. Once I reached there, I was so happy because I found out a lot about this mall. Richland Mall is a 708,249-square-foot regional shopping mall in Waco, Texas owned by CBL & Associates Properties and located on '77 acres.' The mall opened in 1980 and was built with 95 stores with four anchors (Sears, JCPenney, Dillard's, and Bealls). The mall contains two Dillard's stores, one of which was originally 'H. J. Wilson Co.' and later 'Service Merchandise.' That's really about it. There isn't much about the Richland Mall except for when it was built, because it's a mall. This mall is important for it's religious clothing style, it's unique for it's, like I said, clothing style. My favorite part about this place are the clothes, because, well, I'm a girl.
TEXAS RANGER HALL OF FAME AND MUSEUM-HISTORICAL SITE
Ever since I came back from the Richland Mall, I was just so inspired to go to the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and see their famous statue. So, I decided to change my plans for lunch and go there. While I was there, I read this off of a plaque: The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame and Museum in Waco, Texas, is the state-designated official historical center of the famed Texas Rangers law enforcement agency. It consists of the Homer Garrison, Jr. museum gallery, the Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, the Texas Ranger Research Center and the Headquarters of Texas Rangers Company "F". The City of Waco serves as the appointed trustee on behalf of the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Texas Legislature. That was really about it. So, I took my notebook out, and wrote it down, because I knew that would have been an important part of history. So, now since I was done visiting the famous Hall of Fame, I decided to state a few things that I liked. The important part about this place is it's historical popularity for it's nation, this is definitely unique because it's one of a kind and you cant build an exact replica of it somewhere else. My favorite part about the Hall of Fame is the statue, because it represents an important part of history.
BRAZOS RIVER-NATURAL SITE
I wanted to keep traveling, so I decided to go to one of the major land forms in Waco, the Brazos River! I wanted to start off by taking a boat into the river. While I was in the boat, my guide told me a whole lot about the Brazos river. The Brazos river, called the Rio de los Brazos de Dios by early Spanish explorers (translated as "The River of the Arms of God"), is the 11th longest river in the United States. This river begins at the Salt Fork and Double Mountain Fork, two tributaries of the Upper Brazos that rise on the high plains of the Llano Estacado. Another major tributary is the Clear Fork Brazos river, which passes by Abilene and joins the main river near Graham. Initially running east towards Dallas-Fort Worth, the Brazos turns south, passing through Waco and the Baylor University campus, then continues onto another route. That was basically it. There was more to it, but this is all you really need to know. After a while, we got off the boat and went to a safe place. This place is important for it's historical geography, and it's unique because of how famous and solo it is. My favorite part was seeing the Baylor campus and seeing the beauty and cleanness of this river. This was so much fun! Can't wait to keep traveling!!!
DAY 4: GRAHAM
GRAHAM ELLIOT RESTAURANT-CULTURAL SITE
When I came back from Waco, I went to the wonderful county seat of Young County, Graham. As soon as I got to Graham, I took off my heavy jacket that I wore on the way here. The weather was so fresh, it felt awesome. My first stop was going to be the Graham Elliot Restaurant, because I was famished and I would also get the chance to learn what they eat. Graham Elliot Bowles was born in Seattle, Washington, as a self-described "Navy brat". He dropped out of high school at the age of 18 and started out in the food business as a dishwasher and bus boy. He attended culinary school at Johnson & Wales University. Elliot and his wife Allie have two sons, Conrad and Jedediah Lindsay. He also has another son, Mylo, from a previous marriage. In 2013, Elliot underwent weight loss surgery, which allowed him over the following year to drop 150 pounds, going from over 400 lb to 255 lb. In May 2008, he opened his first restaurant, the Graham Elliot restaurant, which was the first restaurant in Chicago. Later on, he appeared on the TV show 'Top Chef Masters'. He has been nominated for a James Beard Award three times. In 2010, Elliot became a judge on the US version of the reality show 'Master Chef'. He also opened his second Chicago restaurant, 'Grahamwich'. That was what I had learned while eating there. Luckily, I also got his autograph!! This was surely important for it's history and it's creator; Graham Elliot. I really thought that this was unique because it's famous for being the first restaurant ever opened by Graham Elliot. My favorite had to be the food, obviously.
FORT GRIFFIN-HISTORICAL SITE
The Graham Elliot restaurant was awesome! But, I had heard a lot about Fort Griffin, so I wanted to go check that out. While I was there, I found out a lot about it. Fort Griffin held command over the southern plains, one garrison in a line of defensive forts built in the second half of the 19th century. Although designed to be constructed from stone, most of Fort Griffin’s structures kept their temporary status for 12 years. Set high above the Clear Fork of the Brazos River, most of the fort’s buildings were rough log houses, tents, and frame buildings with earth and canvas roofs. An 1872 military inspection, conducted at the fort, declared the entire post “unfit for human habitation” due to the rugged nature of the structures. Not much changed, however, after the negative evaluation and only six of the fort’s 90 structures ended up in stone. The town of Fort Griffin, is also called “The Flat” and “Hide Town”. The nearby town also saw gamblers, outlaws, and buffalo hunters, requiring soldiers to help keep the peace. Today, dramatic ruins remain of the fort, now operated by the Texas Historical Commission. This info sure helped me. This fort was important because of it's history, and it's definitely unique because it holds it's famous history. My favorite part about Fort Griffin was the structure and it's meaning, because it is very historical.
LAKE GRAHAM-NATURAL SITE
Next, I visited Lake Graham, because I wanted to visit another historical lake and I heard that there are people that take you river rafting in it! While I was rowing the boat, I learned a lot just by reading a sign in the boat. Lake Graham is on Farm Road 3,003 two miles northwest of Graham in central Young County (centered at 33°08' N, 98°36' W). An earth dam was completed on Salt Creek in 1958 to provide a water supply for the town of Graham. The lake is fed by Briar, Mule Pen, and Willow branches and is also connected to Lake Eddleman. The dam is 82 feet high with a 1,050-foot-wide spillway. Normal capacity is 39,000 acre-feet; maximum capacity is 195,000 acre-feet. The lake was named for the brothers Edwin S. and Gustavus Graham, who purchased 125,000 acres of land near Graham in 1871. The local terrain consists of rolling hills, surfaced by clay and sandy loams that support scrub brush, cacti, grasses, live oak, and juniper. That was really important & interesting stuff. Lake Graham is obviously unique and important for it's history. Also, my favorite part about this, was most likely the rafting! I really learned a lot for today, can't wait to learn more!!!
DAY 5: AMARILLO
KEITH KENNY'S CONCERT-CULTURAL SITE
Once I reached Amarillo, I put on shorts, the weather was tremendously hot!!! I wanted to cool down, so I went to Keith Kenny's concert. I heard that he's an awesome musician and that he was playing this week. It would let me learn about Amarillo's music style, plus get a break! Keith Kenny is an American musician and singer/songwriter based in Asbury park, New Jersey. He plays an electrified acoustic guitar, a custom made suitcase kick-drum and a hi-hat during his live performances. He has been described as a "one man band" due to his finger style approach to the guitar, an array of effects pedals, and simultaneous foot drumming. His music blends the genres of rock, folk, and blues. Kenny was nominated for multiple Asbury Park Music Awards for four years between 2008 & 2011 in categories of "Top Guitarist" and "Top Male Acoustic act". He won "Top Male Acoustic Act" in 2008. In 2010, his songs were featured in an audio book written by Alex Austin entitled "The Red Album of Asbury Park". He recorded the songs: 'Limit is the Sky' (2008),'Evil Fuzz Magic' (2010), 'And the light came Blaring in...' (2013). Seems like he is really famous. Keith Kenny is important because he represents Amarillo's music style, and he is unique because of his style. My favorite part about him is his music.
TEXAS PANHANDLE WAR MEMORIAL-HISTORICAL SITE
After seeing a concert, I decided to go to the Texas Panhandle War Memorial! I went there, because I knew it was an important part of history, so I didn't want to miss it for the world. The Memorial honors veterans from the greater Texas Panhandle who served in these wars and confrontations: Spanish-American War, World War 1 (WWI), World War 2 (WWII), Korea, Vietnam, Grenada, Somalia, Kosovo, and the Persian Gulf war. It is a circular outdoor garden planted with seasonal red, white, and blue flowers and is punctuated by large granite monoliths describing each war. I know it sounds like there isn't much to it, but there is. This is a place that holds the precious memories of the most famous wars ever fought by mankind. This is important for it's history, and is unique for the memories that it symbolizes. My favorite part is how it resembles a VERY important part of history.
PALO DURO CANYON STATE PARK-NATURAL SITE
Possibly my favorite stop, the Palo Duro Canyon State Park. The minute I saw a picture of it online, I made up my mind to go there. There was a tour guide to guide us through the park, so I asked her ahistory. She said "The Palo Duro Canyon is a canyon system of the Caprock Escarpment located in the Texas Panhandle near the city of Amarillo, Texas. As the second largest canyon in the United States, it is roughly 60 mi long and has an average width of 6 mi, but reaches a width of 20 mi at places. Its depth is around 820 ft, but in some locations it can increase up to 997 ft. Palo Duro Canyon (from the Spanish meaning "hard wood") has been named the 'Grand Canyon of Texas' both for its size and for its dramatic geological features, including the multicolored layers of rock and steep mesa walls similar to those in the Grand Canyon. The canyon was formed by the Prairie Dog Town Fork of the Red River, which initially winds along the level surface of the Llano Estacado of West Texas, then suddenly and dramatically runs off the Caprock Escarpment. Water erosion over the millennia has shaped the canyon's geological formations. Any other questions?" Then she continued on with the tour. This tour was awesome, and the park was important and unique for it's beauty & history! My favorite part about the 'Palo Duro Canyon State Park' obviously was it's attractive beauty. Today was crazy, but yet pleasing. Tomorrow will be even better!!!
DAY 6: LINCOLN
SAINT JOHN'S LUTHERAN CHURCH-CULTURAL SITE
I was so exhausted from Amarillo, that I just had to get some peace. So, I went to the Saint John's Lutheran Church, with a cool weather. While I was there, I prayed to god, again; even though I'm not christian, and learned a few facts from that church. In April, 1886, a group of Lutherans who had previously belonged to the Ebenezer Congregation of San Antonio Prairie, decided to erect their own sanctuary. The Ebenezer Congregation later relocated to the nearby community of Manheim. The newly formed congregation decided at that time to build a sanctuary that could also serve as a schoolhouse. There were eighteen original signers of the constitution which formed the new congregation which was called St. John’s Lutheran Church of Lincoln. Pastors from neighboring congregations of Manheim, Fedor and Serbin offered their assistance in forming the new congregation. The original signers of the constitution were Peter Medack, John Schkade, John Proske, A. Niemtschk, Ad. Niemtschk, A. Mutschink, J. Koenig, A. Lehmann, A. Beisert, J. Mitasch, J. Leitko, C. Kunze, W. Petzold, J. Symank, W. Schulz, J. Bluemel, Adolph Koban, and C. Zimmermann. There was a lot more history, but that was about it. This was really important, because of it's religious history, and it's unique because of it's beauty and admiration for Jesus. My favorite was the design, of course, because it was so religious and I liked how it represented Jesus.
TEXAS WENDISH HERITAGE MUSEUM-HISTORICAL SITE
After seeing the beauty of the Saint John's Lutheran Church, I went to the Texas Wendish Heritage Museum, because I wanted to find out Lincoln, TX's history. At the museum, I saw many signs stating the history of the display's. The Museum is located in historic Serbin, near the St. Paul Lutheran Church (near Lincoln TX), school and cemetery. The present Church building, built in 1871, is one of the painted churches of South Central Texas. The Museum is a complex of buildings which are connected by porches. In the center is a new facility with a display interpreting the history of the Wends. It also houses the Offices, Gift Shop, Library, and Archives. To the right and left are the old St. Paul school buildings. Exhibits include relics from the old country and Texas. Folk dress of Lusatia, the traditional Texas wedding dresses, and the beautiful Wendish Easter eggs are a few of the colorful exhibits. In 1817, King Frederick William III of Prussia ordered the Lutheran and reformed churches in his territory to unite, forming the Evangelical Church of the Prussian Union. The unification of the two branches of German Protestantism sparked a great deal of controversy. Many Lutherans, termed Old Lutherans, chose to leave the established churches and form independent church bodies. Many left for America and Australia. The dispute over that overshadowed other controversies within German Lutheranism. The group which eventually became the Wends of Texas was part of this movement, its members distinguished in their specific ethnic identity as Wends, i.e. a Slavic minority living within a predominantly German environment. Wow! That was some history! My favorite part about this museum was that there were a lot of detailed memorable events, it was unique because of all the history that it contained. My favorite part about it had to be the remains of history.
LINCOLN PARK-NATURAL SITE
Next thing, I wanted to go and admire the beauty of Lincoln Park. Only 3 hours away from Lincoln, Lincoln Park is a town in Denton County, Texas, United States. The population was 308 people in 2010! According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.2 square miles, all of which is land. Lincoln Park is one of several towns that incorporated in Denton County in the early 1970s to sell alcohol in the Denton County. Incorporated in 1971, Lincoln Park served the Denton to McKinney corridor of U.S. Highway 380, supplying both college students from Denton and travellers passing through with drinks. After both Denton and McKinney voted to allow alcoholic sales in their cities, Lincoln Park began to decline. Today it consists of the original mobile home park, a liquor store and a Trail Dust restaurant. There wasn't much history about this park, most likely because it wasn't the park that holds Lincoln's body. This park was important because it holds some remains of the past, and it was unique for it's famous beauty. My favorite was the beauty and decorations, because they were so detailed and artistic. This was so amusing and enjoyable that I HAVE to complete my journey!!!
DAY 7: EL PASO
SUNLAND PARK MALL-CULTURAL SITE
Lincoln was so much fun, I couldn't wait for El Paso! But, when I finally reached El Paso, I was soaking wet from sweat. So, I went to the best possible solution that I could think of; the Sunland Park Mall. The 'Sunland Park Mall' is a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, owned and operated by Simon Property Group. It is located on El Paso's west side, at Interstate 10 and Sunland Park Drive. It features five anchor stores operating under four brand names, and more than 130 specialty stores on two enclosed levels. It is the second-largest mall of the three in the metro area, behind Cielo Vista Mall; another Simon property. With a gross leasable area of 918,000 square feet, the mall is classified as a super-regional mall by the International Council of Shopping Centers. It was completely built and opened in 1988, and is approximately one mile from Sunland Park Racetrack & Casino; a cacino just across the state line in Sunland Park, New Mexico. It is about four miles from the Mexican border. That is all you need to know about this Mall! The 'Sunland Park Mall' is unique and important for representing El Paso's clothing style. My favorite part about the mall was the clothing style, because it helped me learn about what THESE Texans wear.
CHAMIZAL NATIONAL MEMORIAL-HISTORICAL SITE
After the 'Sunland Park Mall', I decided to go to the Chamizal National Memorial, because it's an important part of El Paso's history. The 'Chamizal National Memorial', located in El Paso, Texas, along the United States–Mexico international border, is a National Park Service site commemorating the peaceful settlement of the Chamizal boundary dispute. The National Memorial was authorized on June 30, 1966. It was established as a National Park Service unit on February 4, 1974, and was administratively listed on the National Register of Historic Places the same day.The 54.90-acre memorial park serves primarily as a cultural center and contains art galleries, a theater, and an amphitheatre. A museum, which details the history of the U.S.–Mexico border, is located inside the visitor center. The park honors the peaceful resolution of the Chamizal Dispute; a more than 100-year border dispute between the United States and Mexico that resulted from the natural change of course of the Rio Grande between the cities of El Paso and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. This national memorial was established on part of the disputed land that was assigned to the United States according to the Chamizal Convention of 1963; a corresponding Parque Público Federal "El Chamizal" was created on the now-Mexican portion of the land. The 'Chamizal Convention' was negotiated by the International Boundary and Water Commission, which was established in 1889 to maintain the border, and pursuant to later treaties to allocate river waters between the two nations, and provide for flood control and water sanitation. This was obviously a lot of important and memorable history! This place was definitely important and unique because it contained memories of the Chamizal Dispute. My favorite part about this memorial was how it symbolized the meaning of the Chamizal Dispute, as well as other memorials.
FRANKLIN MOUNTAINS STATE PARK-NATURAL SITE
Next visit; the Franklin Mountains. After visiting the Sad Memorial, I decided to visit a more cheerful place; the Franklin Mountains State Park! Once I reached there, I was given a document of papers showing a breif history of the Franklin Mountains: The Franklin Mountains of Texas are a small range that extend from El Paso, Texas north into New Mexico. The Franklins were formed due to crustal extension related to the Cenozoic Rio Grande rift. Although the present topography of the range and adjoining basins is controlled by extension during rifting in the last 10 million years, faults within the range also record deformation during the Laramide orogeny, between 85 and 45 million years ago. The highest peak is North Franklin Peak at 7,192 feet. Much of the range is part of the Franklin Mountains State Park. The mountains are composed primarily of sedimentary rock with some igneous intrusions. Geologists refer to them as tilted-block fault mountains and in them can be found 1.25 billion-year-old Precambrian rocks, the oldest in Texas: That is what the documents of papers read. This place is definitely important for it's, once again, beauty, and is also unique for it's brief history of how it was created. My favorite part was it's beauty, of course. This was really fun, can't wait to finish my journey!!!
DAY 8: FORT DAVIS
MURPHY'S PIZZERIA AND CAFE-CULTURAL SITE
Yesterday was really entertaining and hot, but today was luckily cool weathered! So, to make precious memories of my last trip, I decided to go to a famous restaurant in Fort Davis; Murphy's Pizzeria and Cafe. Located in Fort Davis, TX, is one of their most famous restaurant; Murphy's Pizzeria and Cafe. They serve pizza, along with pasta, salad, etc. It's is one of the most famous and best restaurants in Fort Davis. There isn't really a lot of history behind this restaurant, because it's a restaurant and not a historical museum. Like I said, this is important for being one of the best and most famous restaurants in all of Fort davis, and it's unique because of it's very little history. My favorite part about the restaurant was OBVIOUSLY the delicious food.
FORT DAVIS NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE-HISTORICAL SITE
Next, I wanted to go to the 'Fort Davis National Historic Site', because I heard it's very famous in Fort Davis. So, I wanted to be one of the people to ever visit the place. I also came here, because I knew that it would help me a lot with my research. The 'Fort Davis National Historic Site' is a United States National Historic Site located in an unincorporated community of Fort Davis; Jeff Davis County, Texas. Located within the Davis Mountains of West Texas, the historic site was established in 1961 to protect one of the best remaining examples of a United States Army fort in the southwestern United States. Established in October 1854 along the Limpia Creek at Painted Comanche Camp by Bvt. Maj. Gen. Persifor Frazer Smith, Fort Davis was named after Secretary of War Jefferson Davis. "Hoping to protect the garrison from winter northers, Smith tucked the fort into a canyon flanked on three sides by sheer rock walls." Commanding the post, was 8th Infantry Regiment commander; Lt. Col. Washington Seawell. Other forts in the frontier fort system were Forts Griffin, Concho, Belknap, Chadbourne, etc. From 1854 to 1891, Fort Davis was strategically located to protect emigrants, mail coaches, freight wagons, and to control activities on the southern stem of the Great Comanche War Trail and Mescalero Apache war trails, on the Trans-Pecos portion of the San Antonio-El Paso Road and the Chihuahua Trail. The fort was evacuated in April 1861 under orders from General David E. Twiggs at the start of the Civil War. There was a lot more history about the 'Fort Davis National Historic Site', but that was all I needed to know. This place was definitely important because of it's history, and was also unique for holding these one-of-a-kind memories. My favorite part about it were the precious memories.
DAVIS MOUNTAINS STATE PARK-NATURAL SITE
Last but not least, the Davis Mountains State Park! The 'Davis Mountains State Park' is a 2,709-acre state park located in the Davis Mountains; Jeff Davis County, Texas. The closest town is Fort Davis, Texas. The park elevation is between 5,000 and 6,000 ft above sea level. The original portion of the park was deeded to Texas Parks and Wildlife Department by a local family. Original improvements were accomplished by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1933 and the park was opened to the public around 1938. Campground facilities were added in 1967. Interest in developing a state park in the Davis Mountains began in earnest in 1923, when the Texas Legislature directed the newly created State Parks Board to investigate the area. However, the Parks Board failed to secure any land donations and had no appropriations to buy the land. By 1933, the Great Depression had devastated the local economy so much that landowners agreed to donate 560 acres for the park. 'Civilian Conservation Corps'' Companies 879 and 881 arrived in June of 1933 and began organizing their camp. Their developments in the park included roads, an overlook shelter, two mess halls, stone picnic tables, fireplace and steps, a latrine and Indian Lodge. Well, that was the basic history of the Davis Mountains State Park. This was surely important for it's history and beauty, and was unique for it's creative shape. My favorite part about it was it's artistic natural beauty. Can't believe I traveled in ALL four regions of Texas!!!! This was SO MUCH FUN, can't wait to start a new journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THIS WAS SO LIVE, IT NEVER FELT SO REAL!!! WISH I COULD GO TO THESE PLACES A SECOND TIME EACH!