Brown historic signs stand out to us like neon signs in Vegas. When we saw the one for the Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site, we quickly whipped the car towards it.
It’s a little bit of a drive off the main road where the sign is, but not too far. We easily found it and soon realized that yes, it used to be a place for Civil War veterans to gather. Between 1889 and 1946 soldiers and their families got together and reminisced and honored their fallen friends.
Nowadays, the park hosts an annual Civil War reenactment and demonstrations of daily life during those days. The event is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Confederate Reunion Grounds.
When you drive into the park there is a visitor center and gift store off to the right. It was closed when we drove through, so we didn’t go in.
Next, we saw what little remains of an old house, known as the “Delight House” where many parties were held.
Then we stopped at the display with the Civil War flags and a cannon. It’s not just any cannon though. It was named the “Old Val Verde” and apparently at the end of the Civil War, rather than turn over their cannons, the soldiers took them apart and buried the metal firing tubes, later to be dug back up and displayed.
The flag display is educational, showing and explaining the various flags utilized during the Civil War, a piece of the story that many people know nothing about.
Following the little road, the next stop was “The Colonel’s Spring.” Albert Humpreys was the “colonel” who discovered oil in the area which started the Mexia oil boom. He also wanted to help preserve Confederate history and honor those who served, so he was instrumental in improving and caring for the grounds.
The park is located at the confluence of the Navasota River and Jacks Creek where there is an artesian spring. The waters here have been used forever, first by Native Americans, then by locals, for baptisms, for swimming, and for use in the oil fields.
There was once a “bathhouse and Poco Club” also located on the banks of the river, the remains of which are still there. The water was low that day, so it just didn’t look as inviting as it probably does during wetter times.
Driving on around the road we finally reached a wonderful open-air dance pavilion that was built in 1902. You can imagine families enjoying the friendship and music as they twirled around that dance floor for over 100 years now.
The park also includes walking trails, picnic areas, and restrooms.
While normally open from 8am-5pm, the website does say it is available for overnight group camping.
Entry fee is $5 for adults ($3 for seniors, veterans, teachers, and first responders), and it is located at 1738 FM 2705, Mexia TX 76667
The Confederate Reunion Grounds State Historic Site is not a large park comparatively, but a nice little stop to get out and stretch your legs, look for wildlife, and learn a little history of the area.
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