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The Groesbeck Region is located to the east of Waco, Texas. The destination is covered in desert plains and miles of flatlands covered in trees and grasses. The city of Groesbeck is located at the center of the area as it also provides the namesake for the destination.[1] There are four minor cities within a twenty-minute drive from the center of the territory boundary; Mexia, Teague, Buffalo, Jewett, and Mart. Fort Parker State Park is a large notable attraction within the region. The park was established in 1941 and has been a common attraction explored by locals and out of state visitors.[9] The territory is covered in miles of oil fields, natural gas fields, and ranch land.[8] The area is very historic, with many memorials, museums, and landmarks. The summer months are warm with sunny skies and the average temperature above eighty degrees. Visitors can spend time on the lakes and reservoirs in the area, boating and swimming, or enjoying other outdoor activities during the summer months.[5]
The Groesbeck Region is known for its rich history. The Texas Railroad and the Central Railroad united in Groesbeck. The Old Springfield Cemetery is also located just outside of Groesbeck. The cemetery is all that is left of the town of Springfield after the civil war tore the area to pieces, forcing the townspeople to evacuate the area.[4] The Confederate Reunion Ground State Historic Site is another of the historical attractions within the Groesbeck Region. The site lies along the Navasota River and features a large pavilion established in 1893 as a gathering place for parties, socials, and a civil war cannon. The land is a gathering place for living history events, reunions, games, and other group activities.[1]
Lake Limestone is the largest lake east of Waco and takes up over twenty-one square miles of land. The lake is fifteen miles from Groesbeck and has many docks and marinas along its shoreline. Lake Limestone is famous for its clear waters, easy access, and optimal fishing. Fishermen can expect to catch largemouth bass, white bass, crappie, channel, blue, and flathead catfish when fishing in Lake Limestone. Boating, jet skiing, swimming, and other watersports are common on Lake Limestone.[5] Fort Parker State Park is the most prominent tourist attraction within the area. The park has three hiking and biking trails, historical landmarks, and an extensive nature trail. The park offers an interpretive guide pamphlet to those visiting the park as well. Local landowners donated money and land to expand the park and add roads and recreational facilities throughout. Springfield Trail, Navasota River Trail, and the Baines Creek Trial travel throughout the park and showcase the native plants and animals in the area.[9]
When guests aren't spending time on the lake or at historical attractions, they can often be found fishing or kayaking the Navasota River. Groesbeck is the central hub for Limestone County and is conveniently located just thirty miles from Waco, Texas, and eleven miles from Mexia, Teague, Buffalo, Jewett, and Mart. Around one and a half million tourists visit the area annually. The summer months are most common for visitors due to the warm weather, sunny skies, and long days. Most visitors come from nearby major cities such as Waco, Dallas, Houston, and Austin.[10]
Some out-of-state guests visit the area as well; most come from neighboring states, including Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Louisiana. Visitors come to get away from the big city and enjoy time on the lake or exploring the historical attractions within the destination. The entire area is known for its big industry surrounding oil production, natural gases, and mining. There are numerous oil and gas fields throughout the territory, the largest being Corsicanana Oil and Thrall Oil.[8] Old mining town ruins can be found upon exploring the desert plains throughout the Groesbeck Region.[1]
The land throughout the destination is covered in multiple different desert lands, tall trees, shrubbery, flatlands, and prairie grasses. There are few mountains and hills in the area. Most of the land is flat, and that of which is not government-owned is used for farming, oil fields, and natural gas fields. Groesbeck is at the center of the territory along the northern border lies the city of Mexia. Teague, Buffalo, and Jewett lie to the east of Groesbeck and line the destination's borders just five miles from Lake Limestone.[1] The lake is twenty miles from Groesbeck. Mart is the neighboring city of the western area of the region. Lake Limestone occupies twenty-one square miles of the territory, and the wetlands surrounding the lake spread an additional five miles.[5] Fort Parker State Park is located just between Groesbeck and Mexia in the northern corner of the territory.[9]
Most guests will spend time in the northern portion to visit the park and drive down to the lake. The destination is located thirty miles from Waco, Texas. The summer lasts four months in the Groesbeck Region, June through September, the average temperature is eighty-eight degrees. The winter lasts just three months, November through February, the average temperature is sixty-five degrees. The weather stays relatively warm year-round—tourism peaks during the summer months for visitors to spend time on the lake for boating and fishing. The fall and winter are popular for guests visiting the state park and spending time by the river and nature trails.[10]
The Groesbeck Region receives around four inches of average rainfall in a year with little to no snow. The lack of precipitation creates a very dry climate. There are, however, many animals that reside in the Groesbeck Region. Bur oak, water oak, blackjack oak, pecan, eastern red cedar, beautyberry, and sumac are all native plants, shrubs, and trees to the area.[6] Alligators, dove, duck, goose, javelina, quail, rabbits, rails, squirrel, teal, white-tailed deer, Wilson's snipe, and woodcock are all common animals observed by visitors and locals within the destination.
The city of Groesbeck was named after Abram Groesbeeck, a director for the railroad company that came to the area in 1835. Groesbeck replaced Springfield as the county seat after the civil war because of its central location in Limestone County. The spelling change from Groesbeeck to Groesbeck was due to a directive to the post office calling for simpler spelling. In 1869 the area was dedicated as a township and became a city in 1990.[4] The Houston and Texas Central Railroad developed the area, and the railroad owners dedicated Mexia and Groesbeck.[3] Groesbeck is the central hub for Limestone County; nearby are many parks, reservoirs, lakes, and historical landmarks. Mexia was named after a large family who established the city as a group of Texas revolutionists.[2]
Oil, mining, and the discovery of gas fields drew settlers, ranchers, and businessmen to the area from Mexico, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Mississippi. The Old Fort Parker Historical Site is preserved to showcase the story of Cynthia Ann Park, who the Comanches in the area captured.[9] One of the last legal executions in Texas happened at a courthouse in Groesbeck.[1] The area was originally home to a wide variety of native Indians, including the Comanche, Alabama-Coushatta, Tiguan, and Kickapoo. An Indian reservation is located within the destination and remains a home to many native Indian tribes and families.[4]
Lake Limestone Campground and Marina is just 30-minutes off of the 45 interstate and is located in Jewett, Texas. Jewett is an hour and a half drive east of Waco, Texas. This small town is run by an oil refinery and started as a coal mining town in the 1800s. It has remained close to its original size, as the large cities in Texas have grown around it. The campground is located right next to Lake Limestone, giving the option to guests at the campground to go and visit the lake to participate in the various activities that can be found there.
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