Jon Lekbowsky/Flickr Creative Commons
I’d like to re-state the first paragraph of my last blog on the CCC constructed State Parks here in TX: In my opinion some of the coolest places to visit are the older State Parks built by the CCC back during the Depression. They made it their goal to use native materials and help the park blend into it’s natural surroundings. The stone work is incredible, the carpentry superb, and while the accommodations may not live up to our 21st century ideal of what defines “necessities”, ie air conditioning, wifi etc, what the cabins, structures, and campsites do incredibly well is remind us how much simpler we can live without these necessities. Today we’re going to discuss three in South Texas.
Lake Corpus Christi
This is a 365 acre park, and the undisputed highlight is a building called The Refectory. it’s an open air building featuring a tower from which you can look out over the lake. The CCC also built a boathouse and numerous trails around the lake. Construction began in 1934, and the park was completed in 1936.
Goose Island
We’ve talked in previous blogs about this wonderful park northeast of Rockport, TX. It’s most famous landmark is “The Big Tree” which is an ancient coastal oak which has survived many millennia and saw the arrival of the Spanish, the departure of the Native Americans, and many many hurricanes. The CCC built several buildings which are still in use, the biggest being the Rec Hall, but there are many camp shelters and fireplaces scattered throughout the park available for use.
Goliad
One of the most beautiful restored Spanish Missions surviving in Texas today is Mission Nuestra Señora de Espiritu Santo de Zuñiga in Goliad, TX. Reconstruction work lasted form 1935-1941 on this crown jewel of Spanish Missions in south Texas. If you find yourself heading south on Hwy 183 from I-10 like you’re going to Port Aransas, please stop and check this place out, it is so beautiful and peaceful and the entrance fee is super cheap!
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