Park to host 3 events this Saturday
By Kathy Thomson
Three different events, including one that is making its initial debut, are planned this Saturday, July 27 at Fort Griffin State Historic Site, and all three are included in the cost of admission to the old cavalry fort.
A Guided Fort Tour will take place from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., and the brand new program, U.S. Cavalry Arms and Texas Frontier Defense, 1850-1880, will be offered as a come-and-go event from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m.
Another monthly program, Stars and Skies of Texas, will start hours later, at 9:00 p.m. on Saturday night, July 27.
Guided Fort Tour
Fort Griffin has an extensive history involving both the military fort and the nearby ghost town known as The Flat, which at one time was the largest town between Dallas and El Paso.
“With a place as significant as Fort Griffin was, there are countless stories to be told about military life at the fort, Indian raids, battles with Quanah Parker and the Comanches, pioneer settlers, gamblers, and outlaws,” said program specialist Eric Ambercrombie. “Join us for an hour and half long guided tour of the fort. We will retell the stories of Fort Griffin and the Texas frontier, and help you venture back in time for an experience you and your family will not easily forget!”
For those with limited mobility for the guided walking tour, electric golf carts are available to be checked out at no additional cost.
U.S. Cavalry Arms
“Come learn from Fort Griffin volunteer and historian Steve Dial as he shares his expertise on the vast history of the U.S. cavalry arms and frontier defense in Texas,” said Abercrombie.
The historian has been to Fort Griffin’s Living History Days, but this will be the first time that he will be the main event, according to site manager Mitch Baird.
“It’s not a formal presentation, but will be offered as more of a casual discussion, and people are welcome to come and go,” said Baird. “I think we will have this set up under canvas close to the Visitors Center.
Dial will have an ongoing exhibit and presentation covering multiple time periods of the cavalry in Texas, including the 2nd Dragoon period, 1848-1855; the 2nd Cavalry period, 1856-1860; and the postwar period, represented by the 4th, 6th, 9th, and 10th Cavalry, 1867-1881, according to Abercrombie.
“Included in the exhibit will be long guns and hand guns from all three periods, along with period accoutrements from each time period,” said Abercrombie. “Fort Belknap volunteers including David Hilton will help with the event. This ongoing exhibit style presentation will give a great cross section of Texas frontier fort history, and how each era of frontier arms and defense evolved over time.”
Also at the event will be Fort Griffin employee G.W. Goin and his horse, both attired in the period costume of the 4th Cavalry.
Stars and Skies
Fort Griffin has gained reputation for having some of the darkest night skies in all of Texas. Due to the remote location of the site, there is minimal light pollution to hinder nighttime viewing of the stars.
“With such a great resource at our disposal, we don’t want to let it go to waste,” said Abercrombie. “Join us as local area astronomers share their knowledge of the night skies, telescopes, and other astronomy equipment with you. You will have the opportunity to see planets, nebulas, distant galaxies, our own galaxy, and much more!”
The astronomy program will be held in the baseball field of the campground. Site staff will collect admission near the entrance to the campground for those arriving after hours.
Fort Griffin is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Admission fees are $4 for adults, free for those five and under, and $3 for college students, those between six and 18 years of age, and anyone over 65. Special rates are available for families and adult tour groups.
For more information about Fort Griffin State Historic Site, to make camping reservations, or to learn more about upcoming events, visit www.visitfortgriffin.com or call 325-762-3592.
