Coleman RV Park

There are two sections in this city park campground. The west section has trees but the sites are not well marked, the ground is not level,  and the electric may not work. The east section has sites marked off with telephone poles laid on the ground and new electric hookups. The east section was fairly crowded with large fifth wheels when we pulled in but by early evening they had all packed up and left. We figured they were oil workers and had been called to a new job-site. 

The campground has water, a dump station, and a dumpster but no restrooms or picnic tables. Several parks with playground equipment, ball fields, and picnic facilities are within walking distance. 

The eastern sites may not be wide enough to deploy a lift.   Park    33.17287, -102.27534

 

Slaton Park Campground City Park

There aren't any signs indicating that camping is permitted in this park but people have been staying at the park for years as reported in Campendium. We parked along the fence line by the tennis court. There are six or seven electric boxes but no water or dump station. 

The park is a bit rundown. The tennis courts look like they get little use and the pool is closed but the grass is kept trimmed and the baseball fields and the long picnic shelter are all in good condition. All in all a good, quiet place to stay for a night.  Park   33.43793, -101.65052

 

Palmetto State Park Campground

Back in time! Somehow I missed posting about this park and campground that we visited over a month ago when we were in Texas. We really enjoyed the park so I don't want to skip it. 

The park has two small campground loops, one with water and electric and one with water only. Both campgrounds have the basic amenities such as paved parking pads, picnic tables, fire rings. and restrooms. The water and electric loop has showers and a dump station. The steep Low Water Crossing Trail provides a footpath connection between the two campgrounds. Driving from one loop to the other necessitates leaving the park and driving a short distance on FM 2091. 

 

There are eight short trails in the park. Three are designated as moderate and the rest are easy. I think the length is the only determination for the moderate designation because all are are well maintained and fairly level. We walked rolled along the Ox Bow Lake Trail, the only one located in water only loop. The trail circles a small lake and is accessible except for a short, steep climb at a road crossing. 

We also walked/rolled along the Ottine Trail and a portion of the Palmetto Interpretive Trail. Both are accessible but a boardwalk on the Ottine Trail does not fit flush with the ground. 

  

        

 

 We camped in Site 38 in the water only section. The parking pad is narrow so I recommend either Site 25 or Site 32 which have double wide parking pads. The campground does not have designated accessible sites but most are usable. Park  29.58986, -97.58569

 

 

Fanthorp Inn State Historic Site

Today the inn sits on the quiet outskirts of the small Texas town of Anderson but for several decades in the mid 1800s it was a bustling place at the intersection of two stage coach routes. Henry Fanthorp, an English immigrant, built a two room, dogtrot house in 1834 and added several large additions to provide food and lodging to the increasing number of travelers. The inn gained renown for its exceptional food and comfortable lodging.

Self guided tours of the inn are free but since there aren't many informative signs, the few dollars for a guided tour are well worth it. It was a slow day when we visited so we had the tour guide all to ourselves and were free to ask as many questions as we wanted. All were answered very satisfactorily. 

The inn recently underwent an extensive renovation and is in excellent condition. The rooms, furnished with historic pieces and items representing the time period, include a dining room, family bedroom, post office, store room, and guest rooms. The barn houses a stage coach. 

The first floor is accessible, The second floor is accessed by stairs only. Photographs of the second floor rooms are on display. The paths are hard packed dirt that is fairly easy to roll along. 

 

Any size vehicle will fit along the edge of  the parking lot road. Inn  30.48346, -95.98415

 

Sam Houston Memorial Museum

 Sam Houston, who was born in Virginia in 1793 and lived in Tennessee for over 20 years, moved to Texas territory in the 1830s as the conflict between recently independent Mexico and Texians (Anglo immigrants) began heating up. Texians wanted their own country, free of Mexican rule, and declared independence from Mexico in 1836 which lead to the siege of the Alamo by Mexican president Santa Anna. Two months later Sam Houston, now the highest-ranking officer of the Texian Army, led his men in battle against Santa Anna's army. Santa Anna was captured and Texas gained it's independence. Riding high on this victory Houston became the first president of Texas.  After Texas became a US state, he served as a senator then governor before being removed for refusing to succeed from the Union at the beginning of the Civil War. 

 In 1847 Houston and his wife Margaret Lea moved into their Woodland Home in Huntsville Texas. This was their home for eight years although Houston was often in Washington DC when he was serving his senatorial terms. 

The Houston Museum consists of three sections: the Katy & E. Don Walker, Sr. Education Center, the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, and a grouping of historic buildings, all located on 15 acres of the original 200 acre Huntsville farm owned by Houston and his family. 

The Education Center has a rotating exhibit gallery and a few permanent exhibits but the main reason to go there is to park in the large lot at the rear of the center. This is also the location of a trail and sidewalk that lead to the other sections of the museum. The accessible entrance is in the rear with an elevator to access the first floor exhibits.

A parking lot is adjacent to the Memorial Museum. The access road is narrow and the lot is small so it's better to park at the Education Center and walk/roll along the road and trail. Visitors using wheelchairs will probably need assistance due to slopes and rough surfaces. The accessible entrance is on the side of the museum with an elevator to the first floor. The museum which has an exceptional number of personal artifacts is accessible

 

The historic buildings include the Woodland Home, Houston's law office, the Steamboat House where Houston died. and several relocated buildings where demonstrations are occasionally held. Some of the buildings have ramps. None were open when we visited but we could peek in the windows.  

Check the map for paths and sidewalks. The roads are narrow and fine for cars but even small RVs are too big for easy access so park at the Education Center. Museum  30.71497, -95.55472

Polk County Memorial Museum

 Texas has 199 counties named after notable men, six after presidents, the category that James K. Polk fits in. No explanation is given for the name but Polk's picture does get a prominent spot right inside the front entrance. Exhibits touch on all the major historic events in the county. An annex features store front displays and models of historic buildings. 

The museum is not accessible due to steps. The interior is a bit cramped and some wheelchair users will find it difficult to see all of the exhibits. An accessible entrance is in future plans. 

 Parking is on the street. An enlarged parking area beside the museum is also in future plans. Museum  30.71014, -94.93686