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My days are running together this month. We visited Mother Neff State Park, the oldest of the Texas State Parks on August 5. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the playscape area drove through the tree-canopied road. Here is a bit of history on this park from their web site.
Noah and Isabel Neff from Virginia purchased 900 acres along the Leon River in 1852. Their log home was 1/2 mile north of where the park now exists. Their youngest of nine children, Pat Neff, later became the governor of Texas. Isabel was well known and respected in the community and was called Mother Neff by her friends and neighbors whom she often invited to gather along the river. Political rallies, family reunions,church events and other gatherings attracted visitors, some camping overnight. Mother Neff refused payment for the use. When she died in 1921, Mother Neff donated six acres of her favorite spot to the State of Texas for a park. Since there was no official state park system, son Pat took charge and developed the Neff Memorial Park with campgrounds, picnic spots and walking trails. After the State Parks Board became official in 1923, it began accepting private land into the state system. In 1934, Gov. Neff donated the family park, totaling 250 acres, to the state. His neighbor Frank Smith donated 3.5 acres. Mother Neff State Park officially opened in 1937.
After the SP we drove to Crawford to visit the grave sites of Sam's maternal grandparents, Frank and Ruth Caldwell.
My days are running together this month. We visited Mother Neff State Park, the oldest of the Texas State Parks on August 5. We enjoyed a picnic lunch in the playscape area drove through the tree-canopied road. Here is a bit of history on this park from their web site.
Noah and Isabel Neff from Virginia purchased 900 acres along the Leon River in 1852. Their log home was 1/2 mile north of where the park now exists. Their youngest of nine children, Pat Neff, later became the governor of Texas. Isabel was well known and respected in the community and was called Mother Neff by her friends and neighbors whom she often invited to gather along the river. Political rallies, family reunions,church events and other gatherings attracted visitors, some camping overnight. Mother Neff refused payment for the use. When she died in 1921, Mother Neff donated six acres of her favorite spot to the State of Texas for a park. Since there was no official state park system, son Pat took charge and developed the Neff Memorial Park with campgrounds, picnic spots and walking trails. After the State Parks Board became official in 1923, it began accepting private land into the state system. In 1934, Gov. Neff donated the family park, totaling 250 acres, to the state. His neighbor Frank Smith donated 3.5 acres. Mother Neff State Park officially opened in 1937.
After the SP we drove to Crawford to visit the grave sites of Sam's maternal grandparents, Frank and Ruth Caldwell.
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| There's a contest to name this new addition to the playscape. |
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| The flowers that are a natural smile |
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| At Crawford City Cemetery |
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| Ruth came to Texas on the train all by herself and started a ladies hat shop. A Gutsy lady for her day. |
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