Bug's Guidebook to Texas.

[Bugman]

This month we visit McKinney Falls State Park. The park entrance is at 5805 McKinney Falls Parkway in far southeast Austin.

Thomas F. MckKinney (1801 - 1873) was born in Lincoln County Kentucky. In 1822 the family moved first to southern Illinois and then to Randolph County Missouri where he worked as a farmer, hunter and fur trader. By 1824 he was in Texas and received a league of land on the Brazos River from Stephen F. Austin, becoming of the Old Three Hundred.

McKinney moved to Travis County in the 1850's and became a successful businessman and breeder of race horses. His land became a State Park in 1976 and offers camping, fishing and swimming in Onion Creek as well as miles of hiking trails and a chance to view wildlife native to the area.

Edit: In the interest of full disclosure some of the pictures here were posted to the forum years ago, long before the Guidebook series was born.

 

[Bugman]

The Visitor Center houses many artifacts and other exhibits but was closed today.

 

[Bugman]

The Upper Falls are a popular place to swim or fish. In times of normal rainfall water would cascade over the rock ledge.

 

[Bugman]

A few more pictures of the Upper Falls.

 

[Bugman]

Some pictures of Onion Creek taken above the Lower Falls.

 

[kopfhorer]

Lovely pictures, Bugman!

 

[milagros317]

Great pictures. Very lovely scenery. 😀

 

[Bugman]

Thanks guys, glad you enjoyed them. The remaining pictures will be up later today.

 

[paracarl44]

Thanks for the photos.

 

[Bugman]

My pleasure Carl, hope you enjoyed them.

This is what remains of John Van Kirk's home. He oversaw the breeding and training of McKinney's race horses from sometime in the 1850's to 1873, when he moved to New York.

 

[paracarl44]

Texas does have some scenic places, you just have to look for them.


BTW, are the springs still dripping at Dripping Springs?

 

[Bugman]

Texas does have some scenic places, you just have to look for them.

In most of the state you don't have to look all that hard. For example,
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is not that far from Amarillo.

 

[paracarl44]

In most of the state you don't have to look all that hard. For example,
Palo Duro Canyon State Park is not that far from Amarillo.

^I have visited Palo Duro Canyon when I was stationed at Amarillo, and it was nice to see something that wasn't flat.^