S-Parks, August 1963 Page: 1
12, [1] p. : ill. ; 22 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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DEVELOPMENT OF THE TEXAS STATE PARK SYSTEM
By E. B. Camiade
(The author of this detailed history has been with the State Parks Board for more
than 22 years. He is a past editor of S-PARKS and now is Director, Fiscal and
Administrative Division.)
VANIAs Prior to 1923, Texas had no organized state recereational system, although a
JctioN few picnic areas and grounds for camp meetings and political rallies were open to
the public. One such area of six acres had been deeded to the public in 1916 by
Mrs. Isabella Neff, mother of Governor Pat M. Neff, for "religious, educational.
fraternal and political purposes." Governor Neff stressed the need for a State Park
system in his recommendation to the Legislature in the beginning of his second
term in 1923. As a result, the Texas State Parks Board was created by the 39t0
Legislature for the purpose of initiating a movement leading to the estabishment
eventually of a system of State Parks for the benefit of the people.
Between 1923 and 1933, activities of the State Parks Board w conndV
acceptance of park sites, as no funds were available for park development.
Federal assistance for State Park development became available in 1933, when
the program for economic recovery was instituted. The Parks Board acquired more
park sites and reached an agreement with the National Park Service for their
development. In most of the parks, work was carried on by the Civilian Conservation
Corp according to master plans of the National Park Service. However, the National
Youth Association and the Works Progress Administration worked on the develop-
ment program in some areas. All but two of the park sites acquired during this
period were received as donations by individuals, cities, counties, and organizations.
Two parks - Palo Duro Canyon and Longhorn Cavern - were purchased under
authority granted to the State Parks Board by the 43rd Legislature. The vendors lien
note securing the payment of the Longhorn Cavern land was paid off on schedule
on July 13, 1939, out of gross receipts from park admissions. Original terms of
purchase of Palo Duro Canyon's 15,104 acres provided for a vendors lien note
and assuming mortgage notes in the total amount of $377,600. Palo Duro Park
revenue from 1933 to 1947 proved insufficient to retire said indebtedness; and in
1947, when part of the indebtedness was in default, the 50th Legislature authorized
the State Parks Board to issue $300,000 in revenue bonds. Palo Duro Park receipts
have been much higher than anticipated, resulting in the probable retirement of all
indebtedness by 1966, instead of 1987, as originally anticipated.
R In 1939, the 46th Legislature established the Big Bend National Park in Brewster
County and provided for the purchase of the lands required within a defined area for
Lt park purposes and to be deeded to the Federal Government as a National Park. No
appropriation for the purchase of the land was made until a lump sum appropriation
of $1,500,000 was provided by the Legislature for the fiscal year beginning Septem-
ber 1, 1941. The Big Bend land department of the Parks Board acquired almost
700,000 acres and the area was conveyed to the United States of America for a
National Park on August 26, 1943. Over one-third of the appropriation was paid
to the General Land office in payment of school lands involved in the park acquisi-
tion. Administrative costs were only 31/2% of the total appropriation.
Since 1942, more parks have been created by the Legislature; and other park
sites have been acquired under lease and license arrangements with the Federal
Government in connection with major reservoir construction. These sites, such as
Falcon, Eisenhower, Lake Whitney, and Atlanta and future sites to be acquired
at Dam B (Town Bluff Reservoir) and Canyon Dam are among the most promising
recreational areas of the future.- I -
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Texas. State Park Board. S-Parks, August 1963, periodical, August 1963; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1567379/m1/3/: accessed June 11, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.