The heavy logs of old Fort Parker stand as a monument to the
pioneers
who settled in Texas. The fort is a replica of the one built by the
Parker
family in 1834. The rough-hewn logs of the fortress walls take the
imagination
back to May 19, 1836, when nine-year-old Cynthia Ann Parker was
captured by
Comanches.
There were many cases on the frontier of Indians capturing children,
but
Cynthia Ann’s story became American folklore. Most of the men of the
colony of
nine families were away when a band of Indians came seeking food.
Grandfather Parker never made it to the stockade. The Indians
attacked,
killing him and then forcing their way through the open gates. Cynthia
Ann’s
father, Silas, returned from the nearby fields in time to fight in vain
to save
his daughter, son (John), niece, and her baby. By the time that Silas’
brother
arrived from the fields, four were dead, four kidnapped, while a
half-dozen
hid. James Parker spent the years trying to rescue his family.
Traders reported seeing Cynthia Ann with the Indians. Except for her
fair
complexion and blue eyes, she looked and acted like an Indian. She
married
Comanche chief Peta Nocona and was the mother of Quanah Parker, the
last
Comanche war chief.
In 1860, a company of Rangers led by (future governor) Sul Ross
attacked a
Comanche village west of Vernon, killing Nocona and recapturing Cynthia
Ann and
her daughter, Prairie Flower.
Cynthia Ann never adapted to the Anglo environment and tried to
escape several
times. She died in Anderson County in 1864, shortly after the death of
her
daughter.
Three years younger, her brother John Parker refused to return to
the
settlement. On a raiding party, John came down with smallpox and was
left for
dead by the Indians; his Mexican wife nursed him back to health. After
that, he
refused to join the Texans or Indians, preferring to ranch south of the
Rio
Grande.
Despite the hardships, the land 40 miles east of Waco became
farmland.
Plantations took over family farms and slaves made “cotton king.” After
the
Civil War, federal troops had to be stationed in the county seat,
Springfield.
Across the Navasota River from Fort Parker, Springfield was hit by
racial
unrest and deva-stating fires; then, in 1870, the railroad passed the
town by.
The town was literally picked up and moved to Mexia and Groesbeck. All
that
remains is a cemetery in Fort Parker State Park.
According to Tom Fisher, park superintendent, the park was built by
Civil
Conservation Corp. Between 1935 and 1941, the company built the dam,
roads, and
buildings, including a 1936 version of the old fort.
More than half of the state park is taken up by the 750-acre lake
that
provides recreation, irrigation, and water to Groesbeck. The park has
25
campsites, 10 screened shelters, a day-use recreation hall, a seasonal
store,
picnic areas, and a primitive camping area. Hiking trails, fishing
piers, and a
boat dock promote a range of activities. Boat tours of the lake include
views
the wildlife. The park also operates the nearby Confederate Reunion
Grounds for
day use.
A few miles south of the state park, the Fort Parker Restoration is
operated
by Groesbeck. The current bulwark was built in 1967.
In 1992, the state parks department decided to close the fort.
Groesbeck came
to the rescue. Now volunteers operate the information center and gift
shop next
to the gate.
Visitors can walk through the dirt floor cottages while kids enjoy
climbing
the fort lookout and peering through the gun slits. There is even a
working,
hand-operated water pump. The fort is open 9am to 6pm daily, and costs
$2/person; 817/729-5253. For information on the state park, call
817/562-5751.
For reservations at any state park, call 512/389-8900.
Coming up this weekend…
Mother Neff State Park, the oldest state park, hosts the Leon
River
Fest with natural science programs, heritage demonstrations, arts &
crafts,
food, music, and children’s activities, May 13, 10am-6pm.
817/853-2389.
Lakefest in Granger, northeast of Austin, offers music, arts
&
crafts, baked goods, horseshoe tournament, and parade, May 13.
512/859-2755.
Coming up…
Cherokee Rose Festival in Gilmer remembers the Cherokee Trace
Trail
through East Texas, May 20-21. Indians dropped rose petals along the
trail to
mark their passage. Roses bloomed, permanently marking the path.
903/843-2413.
Mayfest at the Walburg Restaurant & Biergarten features
an
all-you-can-eat German food buffet and polka music, May 19-21, 26-28.
512/863-8440.
210th in a Series. Collect Them All.
This article appears in May 12 • 1995 and May 12 • 1995 (Cover).
