ATTRACTIONS
LBJ STATE PARK A MUST-SEE DESTINATION N
ot only is the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site at Stonewall a must-see destination, it is also an adventure.
It’s a place where historians, naturalists, recreationalists, wildlife viewers, political enthusiasts, wildflower lovers, walkers, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and more can find something of interest.
SAUER-BECKMANN LIVING HISTORY FARM The park is also home to the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm, which depicts the life of a German/Texas family from 1915-1918.
The park features historical exhibits, memorabilia and a living history farm with recreational sports, nature trails and bicycling opportunities, shopping and more. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there are no events or activities currently scheduled and admission to the park is limited, but it may be fully open soon. Reservations are suggested for day visits and camping by going to https://texasstateparks. reserveamerica.com/. For updated information, visit http://tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/lyndon-bjohnson.
HONORING A PRESIDENT The LBJ State Park and Historic Site honors Gillespie County native Lyndon B. Johnson, the 36th President of the United States. A Visitor Center complex houses exhibits and memorabilia focusing on the late president’s two terms of office.
PARK FACILITIES There’s also an auditorium that accommodates up to 225 persons for free films shown daily and a gift shop that is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Visitor Center is the first stop for any tour to the LBJ Ranch, which is a part of the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park. (See separate article on the national park facility elsewhere in this issue.) Attached to the Visitor Center is the Behrens Cabin, a two-room dogtrot cabin built during the 1840s by German immigrant Johannes Behrens. There’s also an outdoor amphitheater used for a variety of programs.
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The entrance to the Lyndon B. Johnson State Park and Historic Site at Stonewall. — Standard-Radio Post file photo
East of the Visitor Center and off the nature trail, the farm is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily from October to May and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily from June thru September. The farm is closed the last Tuesday of every month. Guided tours there allow park interpreters to demonstrate every phase of life characteristic of that era. School classes and other large groups of 15 or more are encouraged to make reservations for one-hour farm tours by emailing LBJ.ToursReservations@ tpwd.texas.gov.
NATURE TRAILS Elsewhere in the park, a winding nature trail leads walkers to a larger-than-life bronze statue of the former president overlooking the Pedernales River. It also trails near a wildlife enclosure housing buffalo and other areas with the members of the Official Texas State Longhorn Herd.
Spring&Summer2021
