When the railroad came through west Texas in the late 1870s Roy Bean established a tent city and saloon for the workers. The nearest court was 200 miles away so some type of local law enforcement was deemed necessary. The job of Justice of the Peace was offered to Roy Bean. No one had ever seen the type of law practiced by Judge Roy Bean! He did not permit appeals or hung juries and he kept all of the fines which were almost always the exact amount that the accused had in his pockets.
The site includes a Texas state information center with pamphlets, maps, a few exhibits, and a short movie about Judge Bean. A cactus garden plus two buildings built by Judge Bean, a courthouse/saloon/billiards hall, and a house are also on the grounds.
Everything is accessible.The information center has push button door. Some of the exhibits are too high to view easily. The movie room has movable chairs. Both the courthouse and house have ramps. The grounds and garden paths are paved with flat stones.
Parking for RVs is available along the streets. Visitor Center
29.80897, -101.56058
I believe at Roy Beans there use to be free overnignt parking for RV's. The picnic area looks like one we stoped at along route 90. Safe travels.
ReplyDeleteBob and Linda
There's not much parking room at Judge Bean's place now but there are so many good picnic areas along the road that it doesn't matter. This part of Texas sure is empty!
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