Houston County, Texas

• Crockett Inn - 1600 E. Loop 304, Crockett 75835 - (936) 544-5611 or (800) 633-9518
• The Crockett Magnolia House. The bed and breakfast that you do not want to miss. The turn of the century home has a Victorian feel with the amenities of the 21st Century. A small wine cellar is a wonderful surprise. The decor is museum quality. Plan your next over-night at the Magnolia and make a wonderful memory. Rates are reasonable. Call 936-544-0070.
• Economy Inn - 614 N. 4th Street, Crockett 75835 - (936) 544-7891
• Embers Motor Inn - 1401 E. Loop 304, Crockett 75835 - (936) 544-5681
• Holiday Inn - 1511 Southeast. Loop 304 Crockett 75835 - (936) 544-4488
• Cochino Lodge & Lake - PO Box 81, Kennard, Texas 75847 - (936) 655-3295
• Crockett Family Resort - FM 229 Houston County, Lake Crockett, TX 75835 - (936) 544-8466. Facilities include cabins (with linens) & RV hookups, camping areas, paddle boat and boat stall rentals, and meeting rooms accommodating up to 175 persons. www.crockettresort.com
• Salmon Lake and Cabins/RV area near Grapeland
• Sniders RV Park - Loop 304/Hwy 19 - (936) 546-0919
• South 19 RV - 664 Hwy 19 - (936) 544-2443
• The Warfield House located on the El Camino Real or East Houston in downtown Crockett, is a wonderful experience. The decor reflects the early elegance of Houston County. This home is located across the street from the Monroe-Crook historical home that was built by the grandnephew of President Monroe. The Downes Aldrich Historical home is also located within walking distance of the Warfield House as well as downtown Crockett. Reasonable rates. Call 936-544-4037.

• CAMP STREET CAFE AND STORE - 1930's juke joint atmosphere recalling by-gone days when the blues were born on Camp Street & Lightnin' Hopkins began to develop his style. Saturday and Weekly Evening Entertainment. Contact (936) 544-8656 for schedules.
• CROCKETT PUBLIC LIBRARY - Extensive Genealogy section. Collection of Oil paintings of area architecture, historical people and places decorate the walls, hot spot for computer hookups, audio and video cd's available. Good selection of Children's books and special area for children to enjoy the library.
• FOREST LAWN - African American resting grounds. Many military markers that document those of African American Heritage involvement in the wars.
• GLENN WOOD CEMETERY - Park like atmosphere, the resting place of many of the town's original settlers: Sam Houston's niece, founding fathers of Crockett & Houston County, friends of Davy Crockett, Founders of Mary Allen Seminary, Churches and businesses. Many Historical Markers ... over 65 that detail who came before us and now rest in Glenn Wood. Bring a picnic lunch, blanket, camera and lots of time to go through this historic cemetery, epitaphs, and architecture.
• PINEYWOODS FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION presents a variety of entertainment, including bands, musicals, comedies, plays, orchestras, and popular artists. Free Summer Nights entertainment. For a current list of events and ticket information, call (936) 544-4276.
• OLD ZION CEMETERY - Tadmor Community. Originally a Slave Cemetery.
• TEXAS YOUTH RANCH RODEO - 4 Shows a Year. Call (936) 546-2265 for dates.

• CROCKETT DEPOT AND MUSEUM: The 1909 Railroad Depot has been converted to a "Discover Houston County Visitors Center & Museum". This historic site provides exhibits relating to the history of Houston County, it's 53 communities and cities.

• HISTORICAL MARKERS: Over 265 historic sites located throughout Houston County are listed on the National Registry, and reflect the rich heritage in the First County of the Republic of Texas. A list of marker sites can be obtained from the Houston County Historical Commission located at the County Courthouse.

• HISTORIC HOMES: There are many historic homes throughout Houston County. Three in Crockett are open for public tours.

  • The Downes-Aldrich Home at 206 N. 7th street is a combination of Victorian, Queen Anne, and Eastlake architectures. Built in 1893, it has been completely restored. For tour information, call (936) 544-4804.
  • The Monroe-Crook House at 707 East Houston Avenue is known as one of the finest early Greek-Revival homes in Texas. Completely restored, it was originally built in 1854. For tour information, call (936) 544-5820.

• OLD TOWN CROCKETT: Bar-B-Q, Steak, Music, old buildings, Sounds of yesteryear ... the train whistles through the backside of Crockett, Old Churches, the Eliza Bishop Depot Museum and the spring where Davy Crocket Camped 1836 are all a part of Old Town. On Camp Street, you'll find a life-size statue of Lightnin' Hopkins by artist Jim Jeffries and the Runnel's 1930's Corn Crib & Country Garden. Davy Crockett Spring and Brewer Park-newly rennovated. Davy Crockett Mural, 6 flags that flew over Texas, Strode-Pritchett log cabin, Rail Fence, train passing throughout the day, Juanita B's garden and flowers and all located on the El Camino Real on West Goliad.

• CROCKETT PUBLIC LIBRARY: Includes an extensive genealogy collection, numerous oil paintings of area architecture, historical people and places, hot spot for computer hookups, and audio and video cd's.

Click the map to get directions.

• BIG SLOUGH WILDERNESS AREA - 936-655-2299
  The 3,639 Big Slough Wilderness was set aside under the Texas Wilderness Act of 1984 and since then, these areas have been managed to remain natural, pristine, and provide opportunities for solitude and challenge. The forest cover in the area is primarily hardwood, including white oak, red oak, hickory, chestnut oak, cherry-bark oak, sweetgum, nutall oak, and willow. Hardwood areas account for 66 percent of the area; about 26 percent of the area is shortleaf and loblolly pine. Mixed hardwood and pine account for 4 percent, with water in the slough accounting for 4 percent of the wilderness area.

  Directions:
  From Lufkin: Take Hwy. 103 west for 16 miles where it merges with Hwy 7. Continue west for 5 miles to Forest Service Road 511 North. Continue north on FSR 511 for 8 miles.
  From Crockett: Take Hwy. 7 east for 22 miles to FSR 511 North for 8 miles.

• DAVY CROCKETT MEMORIAL PARK - 936-544-5156
  Enjoy the Walking /Running Trail around the park. See historic markers, Strode-Pritchett log home, the Veteran's Memorial Wall, as well as picnicking, and play ground for the children. Houston County Senior Citizen's Center, located in the park, serves lunch during the week and is a great gathering place.

• DAVY CROCKETT NATIONAL FOREST - 936-655-2299
  The largest national forest in the state of Texas. Home of Ratcliff Lake Recreation Area, which surrounds a 45-acre lake available for swimming, boating, fishing, camping, horseback riding, and hiking. Big Slough Wilderness Area is also in the National Forest. Piney Creek Horse Trail - 54 Miles of trails. Four C Hiking Trail - 20 Miles to Neches Bluff Overlook. Birding on Fm 357 from Kennard. Bicycling on 527 off Fm 357 from Kennard. Take your boat and go down the Neches River from Anderson Crossing near Ratcliff ending at Hwy 7 and Hwy 103 intersection. Take the Maiden Voyage Motorcycle Tour to experience the depths of the Davy Crockett National Forest.

• HOUSTON COUNTY LAKE
  This beautiful 1600-acre man made lake is known for its trophy size bass as well as being an excellent source for water sports.

• MISSION TEJAS STATE PARK - 936-687-2394
  118-acre park set in the hills of the East Texas Piney Woods on the edge of the National Forest. The park has two historic structures: the Mission San Francisco De Los Tejas, the first Spanish mission established in the province of Texas;(1690) and the Rice Family Log home, an original stagecoach house moved to the park in 1974. The park offers a number of recreational activities such as camping, picnicking, fishing, hiking, and play areas. The Caddoan Indian Mound State Park & Museum is nearby.

• RATCLIFF RECREATION AREA - 936-655-2299

• SALMON LAKE PARK
  Located in Grapeland, the 20 acre park offers recreation and relaxation with a recreated old-style "downtown" for overnight stays or meetings. The park offers 400 RV spaces, campsites, swimming, and various entertainment throughout the year. Salmon Lake is home to several annual celebrations including Memorial Weekend's Gospel Festival and the Blue Grass Festival each Labor Day weekend. For more information or to make reservations, call (936) 687-2594

• BIRDING IN HOUSTON COUNTY
  Texas is not all about armadillos, longhorn cattle, horses and rodeos. Texas has a diverse bird population and is one of the top birding destinations according to the American Birding Association. Texas has over 600 species of birds to see and Houston County has a growing population with Golden Eagles having been spotted at Ratcliff Lake and Houston County Lake, as well as the Bald Eagle passing through.

  Texas has 3 major migratory paths which makes birding especially rich in variety. Texas has its share of resident birds as well as species from other areas such as Mexico. As reported by the Texas Parks & Wildlife, bird watching is one of the most popular forms of nature-related recreation. According to a recent Fish and Wildlife Service study, over 30% of Texans watch wildlife as a hobby, and nearly 17% travel away from home to view wildlife.

  Houston County, Texas is home to many colonies of red-cockaded woodpeckers. This endangered species major threat is the decrease in old-growth pine forests. It has been an endangered species since 1970. The red-cockaded woodpecker is 18 to 20 centimeters long with a wing span of 35 to 38 centimeters. About 16 to 18 percent of the diet. Current population level is estimated at 4,500 groups or 10,000 to 12,000 birds.

  The endangered red-cockaded woodpecker may be seen in the Cochino Ridge area (Kennard, Texas) at the intersection of FM 357 and CR 4690 as it crisscrosses over the FM. Also in the vicinity of the Piney Creek Horse Trail (Kennard/Ratcliff). The Cochino Ridge also has many other species of birds. The winding Farm Road through the bottom land with tall pine and hardwood stands of timber is an experience of nature not to be had in other parts of the state.

  • The DBI List (Deborah Blackwell Identification List) for Houston County:
  • Eared Grebe, Double-crested Cormorant, American Bittern, Great Blue Heron, Cattle Egret, Yellow-crowned Night-heron, White-faced Ibis, Wood Stork, Wood Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Northern Pintail, American Widgeon, Northern Shoveler, Blue-winged Teal, Green-winged Teal, Ring-necked Duck, Bufflehead, Hooded Merganser, Ruddy Duck, Turkey Vulture, Red-shouldered Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Osprey, American Kestral, American Coot, Killdeer, Black-necked Stilt, Greater Yellowlegs, Lesser Yellowlegs, Common Snipe, Mourning Dove , Inca Dove, Rock Dove, Greater Roadrunner, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Belted Kingfisher, Red-headed Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pileated Woodpecker, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Eastern Kingbird, Scissor-tailed Flycatcher, Loggerhead Shrike, American Crow, Purple Martin, Barn Swallow, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird, American Robin, Gray-cheeked Thrush, Northern Mockingbird, Cedar Waxwing, Summer Tanager, Northern Cardinal, Blue Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Painted Bunting, Brown-headed Cowbird, House Finch, American Goldfinch, Roseate Spoonbill.
• The Lower Trinity-Tehuacana Water Shed of Houston County in the Northwest part of Houston County, FM 229, is another excellent area for bird watching. Through the efforts of the American Tree Farm System's Forests for Watersheds and Wildlife initiative "Forested Flyways" and in partnership with Ducks Unlimited, International Paper Company, the USDA Forest Service and others, they have provided critical waterfowl and wetland habitat which will increase stopover habitat for a number of migrating neotropical passerines including Painted and Indigo buntings, ducks, geese, herons, egrets, ibises and other shorebirds including the Woodstork, Roseate Spoonbill and Yellow Rail.

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Last Updated: 07/05/2008 5:25 am