Fairfield Lake State Park
Encyclopedia
Fairfield Lake State Park is a state park located in Freestone County
, Texas
, northeast of Fairfield, Texas
on the shores of Fairfield Lake. The park is 1460 acres (591 ha).
, who was born in nearby Denison.
In the early 1830s, the area was important to Anglo
settlers, particularly as a route to Texas and the American southwest. It was also an area of cattle trails.
Also located within the park is the Eisenhower Yacht Club, a privately operated full-service marina.
Freestone County, Texas
Freestone County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. As of 2000, the population was 17,867. Its county seat is Fairfield.-Geography:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, northeast of Fairfield, Texas
Fairfield, Texas
Fairfield is a city in Freestone County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,094 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Freestone County.-Geography:Fairfield is located at ....
on the shores of Fairfield Lake. The park is 1460 acres (591 ha).
History
The park was acquired in 1954 by a Department of Army lease, which extended it until 2004. The park was opened to the public in 1958.The park was named for the 34th U.S. president, Dwight D. EisenhowerDwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
, who was born in nearby Denison.
In the early 1830s, the area was important to Anglo
Anglo
Anglo is a prefix indicating a relation to the Angles, England or the English people, as in the terms Anglo-Saxon, Anglo-American, Anglo-Celtic, Anglo-African and Anglo-Indian. It is often used alone, somewhat loosely, to refer to people of British Isles descent in The Americas, Australia and...
settlers, particularly as a route to Texas and the American southwest. It was also an area of cattle trails.
Recreation
The park offers nature programs throughout the year. The park has facilities for picnicking, nature study, hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, boating, water skiing, wildlife observation, ATV use, and camping. Facilities at the park are picnic sites, playground areas, campsites, screened shelters, recreation hall, a campground pavilion, boat dock, an amphitheater, a lighted fishing pier, an ATV/mini bike area of 10 acres (40,468.6 m²), and 4.5 miles (7.2 km) of hike and bike trails.Also located within the park is the Eisenhower Yacht Club, a privately operated full-service marina.
Plant and animal life
Several varieties of wildflowers grow in the park. A wide variety of trees grow in the park including oak, ash, elm, cedar, dogwood, cottonwood, soapberry, locust, redbud, persimmon, and bois d'arc. Mammals at the park include armadillo, bat, beaver, coyote, deer, fox, mink, nutria, opossum, rabbit, raccoon, skunk, and squirrel. Wintering bald eagles, pelicans, loons, and other waterfowl may be observed in the area. Lake fishing offers a variety of bass, sunfish, and catfish.See also
- List of Texas state parks
- Eisenhower Birthplace State Historic SiteEisenhower Birthplace State Historic SiteEisenhower Birthplace State Historic Site, located at 208 East Day Street in Denison, Texas, is the birthplace of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was born in the house on October 14, 1890, the first United States President to be born in Texas....
- Eisenhower State Park (Kansas)Eisenhower State Park (Kansas)Eisenhower State Park is a state park in Osage County, Kansas, United States, located 30 miles northeast of Emporia and 35 miles south of Topeka....