The village of Chalk Mountain originated as a trading center before the Civil War. The earliest burial at Chalk Mountain Cemetery, the only burial ground to have served this community, is that of Abigal Davis (d. 1874), but the presence of unmarked . . . — — Map (db m248510) HM
Fossilized dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy riverbed tell an ancient story of two dinosaurs, the fierce predator Acrocanthosaurus, and Sauroposeidon - its prey.
Acrocanthosaurus - Equipped to Kill!
With teeth like . . . — — Map (db m236479) HM
The Taylor Site
Dinosaur tracks upstream from this panel at the Taylor Site are fossilized tracks with a denser in-fill material that dates to over 100 million years ago. These ancient dinosaur tracks have eroded in several different ways: . . . — — Map (db m186849) HM
The Ballroom Site
In 2009, scientists mapped hundreds of dinosaur tracks along this stretch of the Paluxy River.
Hundreds of dinosaur tracks lie underwater upriver from here. Unfortunately most are either submerged, or are not . . . — — Map (db m186850) HM
Formerly known as Brontosaurus, "thunder lizard," Apatosaurus was among the largest of land animals that ever lived. One specimen measured 75 feet long and probably weighed 33 tons. Its brain was the size of a human fist. It lived in the Late . . . — — Map (db m186801) HM
Barnard's Mill, established 1860 on the banks of the
Paluxy River, was constructed by Charles E. Barnard through a contract with the Milam School Land District. A unique grist mill was powered by a water turned
turbine engine. Walls are of . . . — — Map (db m246208) HM
Early Texas grist mill. Built like a fort -- with gun ports and walls 3 feet thick at bottom -- to withstand Indian attacks. Constructed in 1860 by Charles Barnard, who (with his brother, George) ran it until 1874. Previously the Barnards had . . . — — Map (db m218059) HM
Built by T. B. Campbell, M.D., and wife Julia in 1894-95. Native limestone walls are 18" thick; pillars and window sills hand-hewn.
Has housed general store, other businesses, telephone exchange, post office. Upper floor used for meetings. . . . — — Map (db m138122) HM
Captain J.J. Farr, lawyer and Confederate veteran, was the first man and his family, who lived in this 1870's vintage home, one of the earliest permanent dwellings in Glen Rose. The builder is unknown. Unique to the area, this house has a full . . . — — Map (db m248355) HM
Captain J.J. Farr, lawyer and Confederate veteran, was the first man and his family, who lived in this 1870's vintage home, one of the earliest permanent dwellings in Glen Rose. The builder is unknown. Unique to the area, this house has a full . . . — — Map (db m248356) HM
The Blue Hole Site
The Blue Hole is located on a rocky ledge down to your right.
Millions of years ago, a small pack of fierce predatory Acrocanthosaurus dinosaurs left tracks in soft mud near here most likely while hunting . . . — — Map (db m186851) HM
An original track used to describe a distinct form of dinosaur footprint in the 1930's. This footprint, assigned the ichnospecies name Eubrontes glenrosensis, was originally excavated in 1933 from the main track layer in the Paluxy riverbed . . . — — Map (db m248374) HM
Formed 100,000,000 years ago, tracks of 3 kinds of dinosaurs are preserved in the limestone below Paluxy River. Types include Acrocanthosaurus (a meat-eater), Camptosaurus (plant-eater who left 3-toed bird-like tracks), and Pleurocoelus (a . . . — — Map (db m137798) HM
The animals portrayed by these models are two of the most familiar and well known of all dinosaurs. However, these two animais did not live at the same time. The brontosaur died out over 40 million years before the tyrannosaur appeared. Nor were . . . — — Map (db m186802) HM
Built in the early twentieth century, little is known about this old structure other than it served as the location for the town's 'Dry Cleaners' for many years. Because of the buildings age and shape, it is speculated that it most likely was the . . . — — Map (db m248361) HM
Hand hewn-native stone structure, built 1896 by A. P. Humphreys, as saloon. Lodge hall upstairs hosted dances, socials, stage shows.
First National moved in, 1902, with such customers as Col. Charles Goodnight, trail-blazing cattleman. . . . — — Map (db m137838) HM
Fossils are remnants of ancient plants and animals preserved in stone. They provide the evidence scientists use to describe the past history of life on earth.
Fossils come in two types: some are petrified remains of an organism, like bones or . . . — — Map (db m236448) HM
Built in 1928 when Glen Rose was considered a tourist mecca and health resort, this hotel offered comfortable accommodations including home-cooked meals to the thousands who came to our town each year. Folks would drive down from Dallas just to eat . . . — — Map (db m248378) HM
In the days before refrigerators, passing by this Ice House conjured up visions of ice cream or iced tea. What little child couldn't visualize cold homemade ice cream on a hot summer's day? And what adult, who had been working hard outside and . . . — — Map (db m248375) HM
William and Mary E. Lanham and their family came to Texas from Tennessee about 1870. They purchased land and settled on a farm at the confluence of the Paluxy River and White Bluff Creek in what was at that time Hood County. William Lanham was one . . . — — Map (db m233869) HM
Built in 1901 by the residents of the Lanham School District, about 5 miles from Glen Rose. Ed and Ollie (Lanham) Martin donated the land upon which it sat for seventy years. It stood on the high bank of the Paluxy River above the popular swimmin' . . . — — Map (db m248360) HM
These and other models were built by artist Louis Paul Jonas (1894-1971) under commission by Sinclair Oil Company for its exhibit at the New York City World's Fair of 1964 and 1965.
Jonas began with hundreds of sketches and models, resulting . . . — — Map (db m186794) HM
The Dinosaur Valley track impressions were made on broad, shallow tidal flats consisting of sticky, limey mud. Through the action of tides, the imprints slowly filled with clay and silt particles. The filler sediments were a different river-borne . . . — — Map (db m233825) HM
For nearly 50 years (1924-1973) the Ed Martin family operated a grocery store in Glen Rose, most of that time in this building.
Ed's business philosophy was to give service to the customer. And that, they did. Staying open late on Saturday . . . — — Map (db m248377) HM
On Sunday, May 30, 1886, Elder Wilson Hufner and W.L. Rogers founded this church in nearby Post Oak. Charter members were J.O. Soap, his wife, Rebecca and Mrs. Fannie May. The church first joined the Village Creek Association, but in 1899 joined 15 . . . — — Map (db m233819) HM
Which dinosaurs left their tracks here at Dinosaur Valley State Park?
Visitors often think that the dinosaur tracks in the park were made by Tyrannosaurus rex and Apatosaurus, the models in front of you.
Although famous and . . . — — Map (db m186809) HM
Built in 1934, funded as a WPA government project during the Depression, as a replacement for the first county jail built in 1884, located on the same site. The first structure was one story tall with the cell cage setting on the ground inside. . . . — — Map (db m196806) HM
Settled in the years following the Civil War, Post Oak was an agricultural community for most of its history. Its name, derived from trees which are common in Somervell County, was solidified by 1896, when School District No. 2 took the name Post . . . — — Map (db m233871) HM
In 1938, Roland (R.T.) Bird traveled all over the United States in search of fossils for the American Museum of Natural History in New York.
The dinosaur tracks that he found here sent shockwaves through the scientific world. There were . . . — — Map (db m236483) HM
One day, about 105 million years ago, a small herd of four-footed, plant-eating dinosaurs fled southward along an ancient shoreline. Their mortal enemy, a two-footed, meat-eating dinosaur, pursued close on their heels. The evidence of their passage . . . — — Map (db m236431) HM
Hundreds of natural springs and artesian wells made Glen Rose a health resort at the turn of the century. George Paul Snyder (1878-1942), a native of California, opened a sanitarium here in 1915. He built this two-story structure in 1919 to . . . — — Map (db m218060) HM
Named for Alexander Somervell (1796-1854), native of Maryland, veteran of the Battle of San Jacinto, Secretary of War under Texas President David G. Burnet; commanded the 1842 Somervell Expedition seeking to end Mexican invasions of Texas Republic. . . . — — Map (db m137836) HM
Built 1893. Late Victorian style. Native limestone construction.
County was organized in 1875 and named for General Alexander Somervell (1796-1854), Texas soldier, colonist, and statesman.
Court was first held in an old . . . — — Map (db m138075) HM
(East Face)
In
memory
of
those who
gave their
lives for
their
country
In memory of veterans of
all wars from
Somervell County
(North Face)
Veterans of
Iraq and
Afghanistan
Veterans of
World . . . — — Map (db m139289) HM WM
Civil War frontier victory, near this site. About 25 raiding Indians jumped a fox hunter, Rigman Bryant, killed him, shot his dog, stole his horse. That afternoon the Indians and stolen horses were seen by a minister, Silas Scarborough, W.C. . . . — — Map (db m138121) HM
Built circa 1911 this old family residence became the home of the first telephone switchboard in Somervell County. The operation required an 'operator' to manually connect the calling party to the local phone customer. The old house was moved to its . . . — — Map (db m248362) HM
The Legend
Author John Graves
"Charles Barnard, who founded Glen Rose on the Paluxy River, was an educated New Englander who came to the Republic of Texas in 1843. There he joined his older brother George in the operation of Indian . . . — — Map (db m248371) HM
T. rex was a spectacularly fearsome beast, the largest carnivore ever to walk the earth. One specimen measured 50 feet long and may have weighed 8 tons. Its monstrous 3-foot jaws bore 60 serrated teeth up to 7 inches long, perfect for slicing . . . — — Map (db m186791) HM
Come and explore a fascinating landscape where dinosaurs once roamed!
Here at Dinosaur Valley State Park you can touch fossilized tracks of dinosaurs that are over 100 million years old. Learn how the Paluxy River has exposed these amazing . . . — — Map (db m233826) HM
Donated in 1996 to Somervell County by the Dr. Mike Jones family. Formerly located on their farm on "Shotgun Road" (C.R. 301). The log room was built during the 1860's or 1870's by unknown skilled hands. Logs are oak and cedar, hewn by hand. Wooden . . . — — Map (db m248359) HM
These life-size dinosaur models came to Dinosaur Valley State Park after thrilling audiences at the 1964-65 World's Fair in New York.
In 1969, when fair sponsor Sinclair Oil merged with Atlantic Richfield and dropped its Dino logo, Glen . . . — — Map (db m186785) HM
The Torrey Brothers of Connecticut and their childhood friend George Barnard, with President Sam Houston as a partner, contracted to build a series of trading posts along the Brazos River in 1843. Barnard's friendly manner made the Indians his . . . — — Map (db m182272) HM
The history of the George's Creek community can be traced to two men who passed through the area on an 1841 expedition from the Republic of Texas to Santa Fe, New Mexico. The men, George Barnard and Thomas Torrey later acquired land in the vicinity. . . . — — Map (db m233949) HM
