The LBJ National Historical Park has two visitor areas separated by 14 miles. LBJ grew up in Johnson City and the visitor center there focuses on his life and accomplishments as President. The other visitor area is the ranch where he was born, lived until he was five, and worked as a teenager. It was owned by his aunt and uncle and when his widowed aunt offered to sell it to him in 1951 he jumped at the chance to live his dream of being a rancher. It became the known as the Texas White House where the Johnsons spent working vacations and retired to in 1969. The ranch remains a working ranch with a herd of Hereford cattle descended Johnson's registered herd.
We visited the ranch only. All visitors must stop at the LBJ State Park visitor center and get a free parking pass to drive through the ranch. The visitor center is shared by the
Sauer-Beckman Farm and has information on both the ranch and the farm. Download the
LBJ Ranch Driving Tour and follow the map provided at the visitor center.
There’s a lot to see at the ranch – the Junction School, a reconstructed
birthplace, the show barn, the Texas White House,
Johnson’s vehicles,
a Lockheed Jetstar and the
Hangar Visitor Center. We did not visit the school house, the birthplace, or the show barn but listened to the audio at each of those stops. The White House has structural issues and is temporarily closed. We did visit the building with Johnson’s vehicles which includes an amphibious car, the hanger which has exhibits about Johnson and the ranch, and the jet.
Most of the ranch and buildings are accessible. The jet is not.
We were there, really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteWe really like going to presidential sites - libraries,homes,birthplaces.Each one gives a glimpse into what made the person and helps with understanding their actions and decisions.
DeleteWe've never been here, but would like to go see the ranch part especially. Dunno if we'll be heading that way again, but it's on the list if we do. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete