LIVINGSTON

Population 5,180

Altitude 194

General

Trade center for prosperous lumber and agricultural district of fertile Trinity River Valley; seat of Polk County. Established 1846, named by founder Moses L. Choate for his former home in Alabama. Oil discovered in the 1940s.

Attractions

• ALABAMA-COUSHATTA INDIAN RESERVATION-Home of Alabama and Coushatta Indians, part of Southern forest tribes, in dense, wooded area known as the Big Thicket. Sam Houston, a staunch friend of Indians, was influential in having reservation created in 1850s. excellent visitor program today features Living Indian Village where tribal members employ traditional skills to make jewelry, baskets, and leather items; Big Thicket tours via swamp buggy and miniature railroad; museum and crafts shop; colorful tribal dances, and Inn of 12 Clans Restaurant offering customary fare plus pitcooked barbecue and traditional Indian foods. Scenic camping areas, fishing lake, swimming. June - Aug. open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. -6 p.m.; Sun. 12:30 - 5 p.m. (Mar. -May & Sept. - Nov. open weekends.) Closed entirely Dec. - Feb. Tour fee.
• LAKE LIVINGSTON STATE PARK-640 acres on the east shoreline of Lake Livingston among pine and hardwood forest. Facilities include multiuse campsites with hookups, screened shelters, group trailer sites and shelter, boat ramps, bait-house store, gas and floating docks, rest rooms, showers, and dump station. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, hiking, and nature trails. About 7 miles southwest of Livingston; U.S. 59 via F.M. 1988 southwest; F.M. 3126 north to Park Rd. 65 Admission.
• POLK COUNTY MUSEUM- Historical items including Early American glassware, coins and stamps, jewelry, Indian artifacts and crafts, and 1700s candelabrum from the White House. Open Mon. - Fri. 1-5 p.m. 601 W. Church St.

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