Saturday, a week ago, we took a quick trip to Waco to pickup some tractor parts. We took the "back" roads to avoid all the construction on I-30 and I-35. Those backroads took us past Historic Fort Parker. For those that don't know about it, Fort Parker is the frontier fort that was established near present day Mexia. In 1836, the fort was visited by Comanche Indians. They came during the day while the men were out working in the fields. One of the teenage boys decided that the white flag the Indians were waving made it OK for him to go out and see what they wanted. He tried to bring them food and water. Before he could make it out to them, the Indians attacked and made it into the fort before the wall doors could be closed. Several of the children were taken captive, including one Cynthia Ann Parker, who would grow up living with the Comanche and eventually become the mother of Quanah Parker, one of the last Comanche Chiefs.
These pretty purple flowers were found at the fort's entrance
Inside the fort, the corral area, which may have also been a small vegetable garden
The tops of the walls had points on them, and the walls had small rifle cutouts evenly spaced around the fort. The doors were solid wood too and locked from the inside.
C starting out on her adventure!
The houses were built into the walls and had stone fireplaces and rustic furniture. Some of the furnishings were nice china, others plain tin plates and cups.
The historical markers and grave stones for the fort and it's members. C is really enjoying history this year and likes being our read aloud person.
The Look-out tower had very steep stairs. Part of it was in the fort compound and part of it was over the fort walls. There are cutouts in the floor just big enough for a rifle to fit through so the settlers could defend themselves against raiders trying to climb the fort walls, There were also cut outs in the look-out walls, just like in the fort walls, for defense. Each of the four corners would have had a tower in it, allowing the entire fort yard to be defended from the towers.
C and A looking out for invaders. H is just prettily waiting for me to take her picture.
Z and N are very excitedly defending their family from the fierce attackers.
The fort would have offered everything a family needed to survive on the frontier, including a blacksmith shop.
Inside the fort, the corral area, which may have also been a small vegetable garden
The tops of the walls had points on them, and the walls had small rifle cutouts evenly spaced around the fort. The doors were solid wood too and locked from the inside.
C starting out on her adventure!
The houses were built into the walls and had stone fireplaces and rustic furniture. Some of the furnishings were nice china, others plain tin plates and cups.
What a great looking crew!
The historical markers and grave stones for the fort and it's members. C is really enjoying history this year and likes being our read aloud person.
Standing in front of what appears to be a child's playhouse that has been added for "modern" effect - probably not something that the fort children would have had for playing in. It's a great picture spot!!
A wagon without it's cover and Craig waiting on the kids to come see the look-out tower.
The Look-out tower had very steep stairs. Part of it was in the fort compound and part of it was over the fort walls. There are cutouts in the floor just big enough for a rifle to fit through so the settlers could defend themselves against raiders trying to climb the fort walls, There were also cut outs in the look-out walls, just like in the fort walls, for defense. Each of the four corners would have had a tower in it, allowing the entire fort yard to be defended from the towers.
C and A looking out for invaders. H is just prettily waiting for me to take her picture.
Z and N are very excitedly defending their family from the fierce attackers.
Pictures looking out over the fort from the tower
The fort would have offered everything a family needed to survive on the frontier, including a blacksmith shop.
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