Buescher State Park

Infobox_protected_area | name = Buescher State Park
iucn_category =

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caption =
locator_x = 189
locator_y = 137
location = Bastrop County, Texas
nearest_city = Smithville, Texas
lat_degrees = 30
lat_minutes = 02
lat_seconds = 19
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 97
long_minutes = 09
long_seconds = 30
long_direction = W
area = 1,016.7 acres
(4.1 km²)
established = 1940
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
governing_body = Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Buescher State Park is a state park located just north of Smithville, Texas. The park consists of 1016.7 acres (4.1 km²) of public land donated to the state by Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher, as well as the City of Smithville.

History

Between the years 1933 and 1936, Mr. Emil and Mrs. Elizabeth Buescher deeded 318 acres (1.3 km²) of land to the State of Texas. After Emil Buescher's death, his heirs donated 318 more acres. The rest of the parkland was acquired from the city of Smithville.

Companies 1805 and 1811 of the Civilian Conservation Corps built many of the park facilities between 1933 and 1939 using native stone to better blend with the surrounding landscape.

When it opened in 1940, the park was 1,738 acres (7 km²). In 1967, the Texas Legislature transferred 700 acres (2.8 km²) to The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center for use as a science park research facility.

Features

The park features a 7.7 mile (12.4 km) round trip hiking trail through the park's undeveloped area. There is also a small lake open for canoeing and fishing. The lake is stocked with crappie, catfish and bass year around and with rainbow trout in winter. Camping and picnicking areas are available.

Buescher is less than four miles (6 km) to the east of Bastrop State Park and the two are connected by a scenic park road.

Fauna

Over 250 species of birds have been spotted in the park throughout the year. Mammals include White-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums, bobcats, and armadillos.

ee also

*List of Texas state parks

External links

* [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/buescher/ Texas Parks and Wildlife - Buescher State Park]
*
* [http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/historic_sites/ccc/ Information on the Civilian Conservation Corps work on Texas State Parks]
* [http://sciencepark.mdanderson.org/ University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center]