Buescher State Park is a state park located just north of Smithville, Texas. The park consists of 1,016.7 acres (411 ha) of public land donated to the state by Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher, as well as the City of Smithville.
| Buescher State Park | |
|---|---|
 Park Lake in Buescher State Park is a favorite with anglers. | |
 | |
| Location | Bastrop County, Texas |
| Nearest city | Smithville, Texas |
| Coordinates | 30°02′19″N 97°09′30″W / 30.0387°N 97.1583°W |
| Area | 1,016.7 acres (411 ha) |
| Established | 1940 |
| Visitors | 48,935 (in 2022)[1] |
| Governing body | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
History
edit
Between the years 1933 and 1936, Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher deeded 318 acres (129 ha) of land to the State of Texas. After Emil Buescher's death, his heirs donated 318 acres (1.29 km2) more. The rest of the parkland was acquired from the city of Smithville.[2]
Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to better blend with the surrounding landscape.[2]
When it opened in 1940, the park was 1,738 acres (703 ha). In 1967, the Texas Legislature transferred 700 acres (280 ha) to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for use as a research facility, currently known as the Virginia Harris Cockrell Cancer Research Center at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (Science Park).[2]
In May 1957, Buescher State Park was selected to test a new type of low-cost overnight housing for park visitors.[3]
The park is part of the Post Oak Savannah ecological region. A portion of its forest is in the Lost Pines ecosystem, the westernmost loblolly pines in the United States. A fire in 2015 burned most of the pines in this forest.[4]
Features
editThe park features a 7.7-mile (12.4 km) round trip hiking trail through the park's undeveloped area. There is also a small lake open for canoeing and fishing. Sunfish, catfish and bass occupy the lake year round, as well as rainbow trout during December and January when TPWD stocks them. Camping and picnicking areas are available.
Buescher is less than four miles (6 km) to the east of Bastrop State Park and the two are connected by Park Road 1.
Fauna
editOver 250 species of birds have been spotted in the park throughout the year. Mammals include White-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and armadillos.[4]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Christopher Adams. "What is the most visited state park in Texas? Here's the top 10 countdown". KXAN.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Buescher State Park History — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
- ^ "Buescher State Park Near Smithville Tests Park Housing". Silsbee Bee. May 23, 1957. p. 4 – via NewspaperArchive.
- ^ a b "Buescher State Park Nature — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department". tpwd.texas.gov. Retrieved November 19, 2021.
External links
edit
- Texas Parks and Wildlife - Buescher State Park
- Buescher State Park from the Handbook of Texas Online
- Information on the Civilian Conservation Corps work on Texas State Parks
- University of Texas MD Anderson Science Park
- 1973 home movie of Buescher State Park from The Coltman Collection on the Texas Archive of the Moving Image