Trip to Fort Parker Near Groesbeck, Texas - April 28, 2007

On April 28, 2007, Smokin' Joe and Bahama Mama rode over to Fort Parker near Groesbeck, Texas.  We had been there several times before; therefore, we did not pay to see the inside of the Fort as it is hard to get pictures because it is so big.  However, below are pictures taken as we went in and of things (including pictures of the Fort) inside the visitor's center which is new.  We also rode about a mile and a half over to the cemetery and took several interesting pictures there.  The pictures below will give you a good idea of what is at the Fort and for those who have never been, it is worth the admission charge which is only $2.00 for adults and $1.00 for children.  After you finish looking at the pictures, I will include the history from a brochure that we picked up while we were in the Visitor's Center.  I think that you will find it interesting.  So, enjoy the photos and then be sure to read the history at the end.

We end the cemetery trip with a beautiful picture of some Texas Bluebonnets that were in the cemetery. 

I hope that you have enjoyed these pictures and found them interesting.  Below is a brief history (taken from a brochure) that we picked up at the Visitor's Center.

The brochure reads as follows:

The fort is typical of forts built in the eastern U.S. in the 18th and 19th centuries.  This replica of Parker's Fort was built in 1936, and restored in 1967 and again in 2002.

On May 19th, 1836, a band of Indians came to the fort asking for beef, water and a place to camp.  When greeted by the Parker's, the Indians attacked the Fort taking five captives.  The most famous of these captives was, Cynthia Ann Parker, who was adopted by a Comanche family and became the wife of Chief Peta Nocona and the mother of the last great Warrior Chief of the Comanche’s, Quanah Parker.

In the winter of 1860, Cynthia Ann was recaptured, along with her daughter, by the Texas Rangers at the Battle of the Pease River.  Cynthia Ann was returned to her family in East Texas, but never readjusted to Anglo society.  In 1863, her daughter died.  Cynthia Ann died a few years later.

Quanah spent most of his life searching for his mother.  Once he found her grave, he had her body moved to a cemetery near Cache, Oklahoma, which was later moved to Ft. Sill.  Quanah fought the "white man" until 1875.  Quanah, from then on, lead the whole Comanche Nation down the road to a new Anglo lifestyle, encouraging his Nation to accept their new way of life.  Living in houses, raising cattle, farming, and children getting an education.  Quanah, after adopting the Anglo way of life, took his mother's name of "Parker".

Click on picture to enlarge.