Los Minerales, Texas

Transcription

We're gonna take a little walk down our trail and we're gonna wind up in place that is probably the most spectacular place in the park. David Owens loves to talk. This is true moss. And one of his favorite topics... ...This is Penitentiary Hollow... is talking up the natural wonders of Texas. Isn't this a neat place? I can almost say that I over-hype it with visitors sometimes and then take them down there and think that this is gonna be a letdown. It never is. They're always wowed at what's there. There's a lot to be wowed at at Lake Mineral Wells. Located 45 miles west of downtown Ft. Worth, this is a state park with a lot going on. That's pretty much one of our big selling points. We offer a lot of different things to a lot of different people. One of the newer features of the park is a 20-mile trailway that follows the path of the abandoned Union Pacific rail line. Beginning west of the park in Weatherford, the trailway winds through farms and ranches, and ends in downtown Mineral Wells. Visitors travel the trail on foot, by bicycle, and on horseback. Before 1920 this was Rock Creek and you can see where it meandered down through here... Lake Mineral Wells was originally built as a water supply source for the surrounding communities. Today the lake is ideal for fishing, swimming, or paddling. Water played an important role in the history and development of the area. In 1880, mineral water was discovered on the J.A. Lynch farm and for the next 50 years, the 'crazy water' gave life to the community. People thought the mineral water had healing powers, able to cure every ailment known to man. At least a dozen water companies opened, and Mineral Wells became known as spa and resort town. People would come over and stay at the Baker Hotel and they'd stay for a month or 2 months. And they'd take baths, they'd get massages, they'd drink the water, and they went home and they felt better. The resorts, like the towering Baker Hotel, have long since gone out of business. But you can still drink the same water that made the town famous. They claim it cured just about anything and they found it really didn't. Deep well water. Alright. If you're looking for the hustle and bustle of a fancy resort, well, Mineral Wells doesn't have that any more. But if you're looking for a cure for what ails you, a few days at Lake Mineral Wells State Park may be just what the doctor ordered. It's a real family type park. The activities are so diverse. You can do as little or as much as you want to.