HUNTSVILLE

Population 28,465

Altitude 401

General

Founded as Indian trading post in 1836, the year of Texas independence. Sam Houston was one of many prominent early Texans who lived here. Today Huntsville is yours to explore. Adventures begin here in one of Texas' oldest cities. It's the location of the headquarters of Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Institutional Division, and home of Sam Houston State University. Well kept, restored turn-of-the-century homes dot city. The downtown area is home to a variety of antique and arts and crafts shops.

Be sure to see the beautiful mural of Sam Houston by architectural illusionist Richard Haas on the northeastern edge of the square.

Additional information may be obtained form chamber of commerce at 1327 11th Streets. (Texas 30).

SAM HOUSTON MUSEUM

BLUE LAGOON

GIBBS-POWELL HOUSE MUSEUM

HUNTSVILLE STATE PARK

OAKWOOD CEMETERY

SAM HOUSTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM COMPLEX

SCENIC DRIVES

TEXAS BERRY FARM

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL DIVISION

TEXAS PRISON MUSEUM

Attractions

BLUE LAGOON - Primarily for divers; sparkling artesian springs feed old rock quarry creating a beautiful environment for scuba diving. Submerged boats, planes, and platforms are strategically placed in two lagoons. Non-divers must be accompanied by a diver. Seven miles north on F.M. 247; west on mile to Pinedale Road; or from I-45 ; Exit 123 (Pinedale Road) four miles east.
GIBBS-POWELL HOUSE MUSEUM - Built in 1862, an elegantly furnished Greek Revival home operated by Walker County Historical Commission. At 1228 11th Street.
HUNTSVILLE STATE PARK - 2,123 acres of greenery in Sam Houston national Forest. Complete camping facilities on Lake Raven, market botany trail, boating, fishing, and swimming. Nine miles south of city on the west side of I-45. admission.
OAKWOOD CEMETERY - Sam Houston's burial site along with other Texas personalities. Union soldiers, pioneers and past residents. Houston's tomb bears Andrew Jackson's tribute, "The world will take care of Houston's fame." Original acreage deeded by founders as free burial place in 1847. Oldest marked burial site is dated 1846. Chamber of commerce can furnish walking tours. 9th and Avenue I.
SAM HOUSTON MEMORIAL MUSEUM COMPLEX - On 15 original acres belonging to General Houston. Eight buildings; two period furnished homes of Houston, including "Steamboat House": Law office, kitchen blacksmith shop and gazebo replicas. Site of General Sam Houston Folk Festival in April.
Museum exhibits General's personal effects and items belonging to Santa Anna when captured at San Jacinto; 19th Century pioneer items. Exhibit hall/gift shop. Romantic park with benches, small picnic area and colorful pond fed by Houston's original spring. At 1836 Sam Houston Avenue.
SCENIC DRIVES - Several routes through Sam Houston national Forest offer woodland beauty. F.M. 1374 leads to near Stubblefield Lake Recreation Area, administered by the national Forest Service. F.M. 1375 east from New Waverly leads to near Walker Lake Recreation Area, also Forest Service facility.
TEXAS BERRY FARM - Acres and acres of berries where visitors pick their own, plus vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Best season is May - mid-July. Call ahead to find out what's in season. Picnic area available. Pay by the pound of what you pick. North 15 miles on F.M. 980, then 1.3 miles east on unpaved county road.
TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTIONAL DIVISION - Headquarters of Texas prison system; several units located throughout he city and Walker County. Created in 1847, received its first convict on October 1, 1849. Driving tours available from chamber of commerce.
TEXAS PRISON MUSEUM - Covers changes in prison system since its 1848 inception. Visitors see old ball-and- chains, rifles used by Bonnie and Clyde, replica of 9 X 6 cell, and "Old Sparky," the state's electric chair used between 1924 - 1964. Rotating exhibits. Along with other penal artifacts, visitors also see crafts and products produced by inmates.

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This file was last modified Thursday, 12-Oct-95 01:38:30